Evaluation of select cider apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) cultivars grown in Ontario. II. Juice Attributes

Twenty-eight apple cultivars were selected for their potential for hard cider production in Ontario and their juice characteristics were measured in 2017 and 2018, beginning two years after planting in 2015. After being harvested and pressed, each juice sample underwent analyses to determine soluble solids concentration (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), pH, yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN), and polyphenolic concentration. SSC ranged from 10.6° Brix in Brown’s Apple to 18.3° Brix in Ashmead’s Kernel. TA ranged from 31 as mg malic acid 100 mL-1 juice in Sweet Alford to 191 as mg malic acid 100 mL-1 juice in Bramley’s Seedling. The pH ranged from 2.88 in Breakwell to 4.76 in Sweet Alford. YAN concentration ranged from 60 mg YAN L-1 juice in Medaille d’Or to 256 mg YAN L-1 juice in Bulmers Norman. Polyphenols in juice ranged from 131 µg gallic acid equivalents mL-1 juice in Tolman Sweet to 1042 µg gallic acid equivalents mL-1 juice in Stoke Red. Firmness ranged from 6.3 kg in Yarlington Mill to 11.7 kg in GoldRush. The relationships between these variables were also analyzed, showing a connection between acidity and juicing efficiency as well as a relationship between polyphenol concentration and fruit weight. Exploratory analyses indicated that juice attributes can be used to distinguish between cultivars and their origins. Cider producers can use these data to determine what to expect in juice from these cultivars.

Juice Attributes of Ontario-Grown Culinary (Dessert) Apples for Cider

Continued interest in the commercial production of cider in Ontario has revealed there is a lack of information available to apple producers and cidermakers on the juice attributes of culinary dessert apple for making cider and how they may vary from orchard to orchard. A two-year study was conducted to characterize the juice characteristics of 18 common culinary dessert apple cultivars grown at several locations in Ontario. Juice was assayed for soluble solids concentration, pH, titratable acidity (TA), juice extraction efficiency, yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN), polyphenols and soluble solids-to-TA ratio. Significant differences among cultivars were observed for all parameters, which varied by orchard and year, except juice extraction efficiency. These data underly the importance of assaying juice every growing season prior to fermentation. Cidermakers should focus on juice characteristics from culinary apples that are more difficult to alter (with amendments), and use juice with lower pH, higher TA and polyphenols, and moderate to higher YAN to optimize cider quality and flavour. Overall, this study will inform cidermakers of which culinary apple cultivars might be preferable for fermentation as well as how they might be blended to optimize cider quality. Notwithstanding annual and orchard variation, cultivars that meet these criteria include Cortland, Crimson Crisp, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, McIntosh and Northern Spy. If making cider from Ambrosia, Crispin, Empire, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious or Idared, cidermakers should expect to blend the juice from these cultivars to create a more fully balanced juice prior to fermentation.

Foliar Calcium Fertilizers Impact on Several Fruit Quality Characteristics and Leaf and Fruit Nutritional Status of the ‘Hayward’ Kiwifruit Cultivar

Calcium preharvest application influences fruit quality. The impact of preharvest foliar sprays using several commercial fertilizers with Ca content on the fruit quality and nutritional status of the kiwi cv. ‘Hayward’ was investigated for a 2-year period. Fruit flesh firmness increased under all Ca sprays compared to the control. Total soluble solids and acidity were not altered significantly by any of the studied Ca products. Treatment differences with regard to fruit firmness, soluble solids concentration and acids at harvest were maintained during cold storage for 2 and 4 months. Foliar sprays did not affect the N, P, K, Mg, B, Fe, Mn and Zn concentrations of leaves and fruits. However, all treatments increased the concentration of Ca in leaves and fruits compared to the control.

Post-harvest quality of papaya coated with polivinilic alcohol and maize starch

ABSTRACT Climacteric fruits have short postharvest shelf life. Coating is an alternative to minimize fruit ripening and post-harvest losses. Maize starch (S) and polivinilic alcohol - PVOH (P), isolated or blended, can be used in the formulation of coatings. However, little is known about the potential of PVOH-containing coatings in postharvest conservation of fruits. Papaya were aftercoated with 5 coating formulations: 3% starch (S), 3% PVOH (P), 2.25% S + 0.75% P, 1.5% S + 1.5% P and 0.75% S + 2.25% P. The fruits were kept at room temperature (20 ± 5 °C and 70 ± 10% RH) and physicochemical characteristics were evaluated for up to eight days. Uncoated fruits were used as control. In general, maize starch and PVOH. In general, maize starch and PVOH coatings reduced the weight loss and did not affect total soluble solids concentration. 3% PVOH coating increased the acidity and decreased the pH of the fruits, and excessively inhibited gas exchange between fruit and the environment. In this study, 3% maize starch coating was more efficient in prolonging the postharvest life of papaya.

On-farm Evaluation of Strawberry Cultivars in Coastal Virginia

Strawberries (Fragaria ×ananassa) are one of the major high-value crops in North America. There is increasing interest in commercial strawberry production for local markets in Virginia and surrounding states, but information on the performance of newer cultivars is extremely limited. We tested 10 commercially available June-bearing cultivars [Benicia, Camarosa, Camino Real, Chandler, Strawberry Festival, Flavorfest, FL Radiance, Treasure, Sweet Charlie, and Winterstar™ (FL 05-107)] and two day-neutral cultivars (Albion and San Andreas) for their spring and summer fruiting capacity in Virginia production systems in a randomized, replicated study, at three on-farm locations. Data were collected on vegetative growth, yield performance, fruit quality, sweetness, and fruit diameter. Cultivars with the highest total yields averaged across all three locations were Benicia, Camino Real, Chandler, and Camarosa. ‘Camino Real’ had the highest marketable yield at all three locations, not significantly different from ‘Chandler’, and ‘Benicia’ and ‘Camarosa’ had the highest marketable yield at two of the three locations. ‘Flavorfest’ and ‘Sweet Charlie’ had the highest total soluble solids concentration for the harvest season. Overall, for all locations, ‘Benicia’ and ‘Camino Real’ had the largest fruit diameter, and ‘Strawberry Festival’ had the smallest fruit diameter.

Antimicrobial Action of Hydroalcoholic Extract from Cymbopogonous citrus Staupf (capim-limão), Rosmarinus officinalis L (alecrim) and Lychnophora ericoides (arnica)

Infectious diseases are always a concern, since the effectiveness of several antimicrobials in certain situations has decreased due to the microbial resistance developed over the years. Research in the area of antimicrobial drug development has been intensified in recent decades. The objective of this work was to verify in vitro the antimicrobial activity of hydroalcoholic extracts of lemongrass, rosemary and arnica. Bacteria used in the test were S. aureus, K. pneumoniae and E.coli. The extracts were obtained from the plants dry leaves in maceration with 70% cereal alcohol for seven days. The total soluble solids concentration of each extract was obtained by gravimetry. The extracts antimicrobial activity was obtained by the pour-plate technique, in which the colonies were counted. Under the conditions in which the tests were performed in the stage of microbial growth was observed with lemongrass and rosemary extracts, and the stage rate was zero. However, S. aureus was sensitive to the arnica hydroalcoholic extract in the concentration of 4.00 mg / mL with inhibition rate of 100%, reducing as the extract concentration was lower. At different concentrations, the arnica hydroalcoholic extract had a low inhibitory capacity for K. pneumoniae and E. coli. The plants antimicrobial activity varies greatly in relation to the botanical characteristics (cultivation, soil, harvest) and the extraction method (solvents of different polarities and techniques), for that reason, there are many varied results in several studies. Therefore, many studies are needed to confirm the antimicrobial efficacy of plant strata. Keywords: Anti-Infective Agents. Phytochemicals. Microbial sensitivity tests. ResumoAs doenças infecciosas são sempre preocupantes, pois a eficácia de vários antimicrobianos em certas situações, diminuiu em função da resistência microbiana, desenvolvida ao longo dos anos. As pesquisas na área de desenvolvimento de fármacos antimicrobianos, intensificaram-se muito nas últimas décadas. O objetivo desse trabalho foi verificar in vitro a atividade antimicrobiana de extratos hidroalcoólicos de capim-limão, alecrim e arnica. As bactérias utilizadas no teste foram S. aureus, K. pneumoniae e E.coli. Os extratos foram obtidos das folhas secas das plantas, em maceração com álcool cereal a 70%, durante sete dias. A concentração de sólidos solúveis totais de cada extrato foi obtida por gravimetria. A atividade antimicrobiana dos extratos foi obtida pela técnica pour-plate, em que se procedeu a contagem de colônias. Nas condições em que os testes foram realizados não foram observados inibição do crescimento microbiano com os extratos de capim-limão e alecrim, sendo a taxa de inibição zero. Entretanto, o S. aureus mostrou-se sensível ao extrato hidroalcóolico de arnica na concentração de 4,00mg/mL com taxa de inibição de 100%, reduzindo conforme a concentração do extrato era menor. Nas diferentes concentrações, o extrato hidroalcoolico de arnica, apresentou uma baixa capacidade inibitória para a K. pneumoniae e E.coli. A atividade antimicrobiana das plantas varia muito em relação as características botânicas (cultivo, solo, colheita) e ao método de extração (solventes de polaridades diferentes e técnicas), por essa razão, há resultados bem variados nas diversas pesquisas. Assim sendo, muitos estudos são necessários para confirmar a eficácia antimicrobiana dos extratos vegetais. Palavras-chave: Anti-Infecciosos. Compostos Fitoquímicos. Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana.

Carbon Dioxide Injury Prediction Model for Fresh-Cut Apples

Carbon dioxide (CO2) injury is one of the key cause affecting the sales of fresh-cut apples during the sales period. The method to warn the time till occurring CO2 injury would be convenient for businesses and consumers, but so far, no one has paid attention. This research aimed to study the change rule of the mechanism of carbon dioxide injury of fresh-cut apples treated with high CO2 concentration. The experiment was conducted at 5, 15, 25 and 35°C for 4 days. Every twelve hours, the fresh-cut apple was analyzed by measuring the changes of firmness, soluble solids concentration, browning index and sensory evaluation. The results showed that sensory scores, firmness and soluble solids concentration decreased over time, while the browning index of freshly cut apple increased rapidly with time. Based on the dynamic model of the browning index, with the CO2 Injury warning model of ready-to-eat apples treated with high CO2 concentration was determined.

Effects of Preharvest and Postharvest Applications of 1-Methylcyclopropene on Fruit Quality and Physiological Disorders of ‘Fuji’ Apples during Storage at Warm and Cold Temperatures

The effects of preharvest and postharvest treatments of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) in combination or alone on fruit quality and the incidence of physiological disorders during storage of ‘Fuji’ apples [Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill var. domestica (Borkh.) Mansf.] at 20 and 0.5 °C were investigated. Preharvest 1-MCP (Harvista) treatments were applied 4 or 10 days before harvest (DBH), and then fruit were either untreated or treated with 1-MCP (SmartFresh) postharvest. Fruit were stored at 20 °C for up to 4 weeks or at 0.5 °C for up to 36 weeks. At harvest, starch pattern indices and watercore incidence and severity were lower in fruit with preharvest 1-MCP treatment applied 10 DBH than in untreated fruit and in fruit treated 4 DBH. At 20 °C, the combination of preharvest and postharvest 1-MCP treatments reduced the internal ethylene concentration (IEC) more than preharvest 1-MCP treatment alone, but not to a greater extent than postharvest 1-MCP treatment alone. Greasiness and watercore were reduced more by the combination of preharvest and postharvest 1-MCP treatments than by either treatment alone. However, preharvest and postharvest 1-MCP treatments, in combination or alone, did not consistently affect flesh firmness, titratable acidity (TA), soluble solids concentration, color a* values, or incidences of flesh browning, core browning, and stem-end flesh browning. At 0.5 °C, the combination of preharvest and postharvest 1-MCP treatments inhibited IECs and maintained firmness and TA more than no treatment or preharvest 1-MCP treatment alone. However, there was a lesser extent of differences than there was with postharvest 1-MCP treatment alone. Incidences of physiological disorders were not consistently affected by the preharvest and postharvest 1-MCP treatments. Overall, the results suggested that the preharvest 1-MCP treatment positively affected fruit quality attributes compared with no treatment during shelf life and long-term cold storage, but not as effectively as a combination of preharvest and postharvest 1-MCP treatments.

PARÂMETROS FISIOLÓGICOS DO MILHO CULTIVADO SOB ADUBAÇÃO ORGANOMINERAL DE NPK, ÁGUA AMARELA E MANIPUEIRA

PARÂMETROS FISIOLÓGICOS DO MILHO CULTIVADO SOB ADUBAÇÃO ORGANOMINERAL DE NPK, ÁGUA AMARELA E MANIPUEIRA JAILTON GARCIA RAMOS1; VERA LÚCIA ANTUNES DE LIMA2; RONALDO DO NASCIMENTO3; NARCÍSIO CABRAL DE ARAÚJO4; RAFAELA FÉLIX BASÍLIO GUIMARÃES5 E MARIANA DE OLIVEIRA PEREIRA6 1 Unidade Acadêmica de Engenharia Agrícola, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, campus Campina Grande, Rua Aprígio Veloso, 882 - Universitário, 58429-900, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brasil. [email protected]; 2 Unidade Acadêmica de Engenharia Agrícola, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, campus Campina Grande, Rua Aprígio Veloso, 882 - Universitário, 58429-900, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brasil. [email protected]; 3 Unidade Acadêmica de Engenharia Agrícola, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, campus Campina Grande, Rua Aprígio Veloso, 882 - Universitário, 58429-900, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brasil. [email protected]; 4 Centro de Formação em Tecno-ciências e Inovações, Universidade Federal do Sul da Bahia, , Campus Itabuna, Rodovia de Acesso para Itabuna, km 39 - Ferradas, 45613-204, Itabuna, Bahia, Brasil. [email protected]; 5 Unidade Acadêmica de Engenharia Agrícola, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, campus Campina Grande, Rua Aprígio Veloso, 882 - Universitário, 58429-900, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brasil. [email protected]; 6 Unidade Acadêmica de Engenharia Agrícola, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, campus Campina Grande, Rua Aprígio Veloso, 882 - Universitário, 58429-900, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brasil. [email protected]. 1 RESUMO Objetivou-se neste trabalho, avaliar parâmetros fisiológicos do milho híbrido AG 1051 cultivado em ambiente protegido em solo fertilizado com urina humana e manipueira. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualisado com quatorze tratamentos e quatro repetições, totalizando 56 parcelas. Os tratamentos foram: T1 (NPK), T2 (470 mL), T3 (670 mL), T4 (870 mL), T5 (1070 mL), T6 (1270 mL), T7 (1470 mL), T8 (F - NPK), T9 (F - 470 mL), T10 (F – 670 mL), T11 (F – 870 mL), T12 (F – 1070 mL), T13 (F – 1270 mL) e T14 (F – 1470 mL). Os volumes aplicados foram a combinação de urina humana + manipueira tratadas como adubação de fundação e fertirrigação (F). Foram avaliadas as variáveis de pigmento (clorofilas A, B, total e carotenóides), SPAD e °Brix. O tratamento T1 promoveu incremento de 43,94% no índice SPAD em relação ao T2. Mariores incrementos na concentração de sólidos solúveis totais foram obtidos para T1, T5, T7 e T8. O tratmento T13 promoveu valores máximos de clorofila A e total de 3843,703 e 5479,152 μgg-1 respectivamente. E para T14 os rendimentos máximos foram para as variáveis clorofila B e carotenoides (2805,197 e 333440,042 μgg-1). Os tratamentos influenciam positivamente todas as variáveis fisiológicas. Palavras–chave: ecossanemamento, urina humana, biofertilizante líquido, reuso agrícola RAMOS, J.G.; DE LIMA, V. L. A.; DO NASCIMENTO, R.; DE ARAÚJO, N. C.; GUIMARÃES, R. F. B.; PEREIRA, M. O. PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF CORN CULTIVATED UNDER ORGANIC FERTILIZATION OF NPK, YELLOW WATER AND CASSAVA WASTEWATER 2 ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological parameters of the hybrid corn AG 1051 grown in a protected environment in soil fertilized with human urine and treated cassava wastewater. The experimental design was completely randomized with fourteen treatments and four replications, thus totaling 56 experimental units. The treatments were as follows: T1 (NPK), T2 (470 mL), T3 (670 mL), T4 (870 mL), T5 (1070 ml), T6 (1270 ml), T7 (1470 mL), T8 (F - NPK), T9 (F - 470 ml), T10 (F - 670 ml), T11 (F - 870 ml), T12 (F - 1070 ml), T13 (F - 1270) and T14 (F - 1470). The volume applied is the combination of human urine + cassava wastewater treated as foundation fertilization and fertigation (F). The production of chlorophylls A, B, total and carotenoids, SPAD and °Brix were evaluated. The T1 treatment promoted an increase of 43.94% in the SPAD index in relation to T2. Height increases in total soluble solids concentration were obtained for T1, T5, T7 and T8. The T13 treatment promoted maximum values of chlorophyll A and total of 3843.703 and 5479.152 μgg-1 respectively. For T14 the maximum yields were for the variables chlorophyll B and carotenoids (2805.197 and 333440.042 μgg-1). Treatments positively influence all physiological variables. Keywords: eco sanitation, human urine, liquid biofertilizer, reuse agriculture.