ISHS Acta Horticulturae 498: IV International Symposium on Kiwifruit
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NITROGEN AND FRUIT QUALITY IN KIWIFRUIT |
| Authors: | G. Vizzotto, O. Lain, G. Costa |
| Keywords: | Actinidia deliciosa, fruit storage, soluble solids content, firmness, sugar and organic acids content |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.1999.498.19 |
| Abstract:
The effect of different nitrogen fertilizer levels (0, 150, 300 and 450 kg N ha-1) on kiwifruit production and quality was assessed in a long-term field trial (1992–1997). After six years of evaluation, control vines did not show visible symptoms of N deficiency. During the first three years of trial, yield was positively correlated to the rate of nitrogen fertilization, whereas in the following period no significant differences were observed among treatments. Soluble solids content and flesh firmness, chosen as the most widely used maturity indices, were monitored at harvest and during storage. However, for better prediction of fruit quality and storability, other fruit traits were determined (reducing sugars, sucrose, starch, ascorbic and citric acid) at harvest and throughout the storage period (180 days). Nitrogen fertilizers did not significantly modify fruit characteristics at harvest, but greatly changed parameters during storage. Soluble solids content increased during storage regardless of the amount of nitrogen applied. Fruit softening occurred earlier in fruits from vines that received the highest rates of nitrogen (300 and 450 kg N ha-1). Fruits from control vines exhibited higher ascorbic acid content at harvest and throughout storage than fruit from vines receiving nitrogen. | |
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