ISHS Acta Horticulturae 326: International Symposium on Pre- and Postharvest Physiology of Pome-fruit
DEVELOPMENT OF MATURITY INDICES FOR THE ‘FUJI’ APPLE CULTIVAR IN RELATION TO WATERCORE INCIDENCE |
| Authors: | C.B. Watkins, P.L. Brookfield, F.R. Harker |
| Abstract:
‘Fuji’ is an apple cultivar with increasing potential as a successful export crop. However, several problems associated with the commercial development of ‘Fuji’ have been recognised, including poor blush levels and difficulties in gaining acceptance of a cultivar for which watercore is a normal occurrence. A two year study has been carried out on the relationships of blush type and background colour with fruit maturity and quality in the ‘Fuji’ cultivar. The results show that background colour is a better indicator for harvest maturity than flesh firmness, starch pattern index and soluble solids. Internal ethylene concentrations remained low during the harvest period. Blush type, i.e. dull versus bright, or brown versus red, is not associated with fruit maturity. Watercore incidence and intensity are both associated with background colour and provide an additional maturity index for incorporation into harvest management schemes. Watercore incidence and intensity declined during storage, but no disorders subsequently appeared. The better ‘Fuji’ fruit for current market requirements with optimum background colour and blush are more likely to have watercore at harvest. | |
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