ISHS Acta Horticulturae 769: XXVII International Horticultural Congress - IHC2006: International Symposium on Asian Plants with Unique Horticultural Potential
PHYSICO-CHEMICAL SEASONAL CHANGES OF POMEGRANATE (PUNICA GRANATUM L.) FRUIT 'MALAS-E-TORSH-E-SAVEH' IN IRAN |
| Authors: | F. Varasteh, K. Arzani, Z. Zamani, S.Z. Tabatabaei |
| Keywords: | pomegranate, fruit growth and development, days after fruit set (DAFS) |
| Abstract:
Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cv. Malas-e-Torsh-e-Saveh is one of the most popular and commercial pomegranate cultivars in Iran. During the 2005 growing season, seasonal physicochemical changes of ‘Malas-e-Torsh-e-Saveh’ fruits were monitored to facilitate orchard management system for this cultivar. Fruit growth and development was measured on mature pomegranate trees. The destructive and non-destructive measurements were carried out in two week intervals until fruit harvest. The results indicated that fruit diameter and length increased from fruit setting until harvest. At the beginning of fruit setting, fruit length was two times of fruit diameter but decreased rapidly until 45 days after fruit set (DAFS). At that time, length was equal to diameter and fruit size changed from elongated to round shape. Fruit growth pattern in terms of changes in fruit diameter and length showed a single sigmoid growth curve. The rapid increase in the weight and volume occurred early in the season and continued until harvest. In addition, 100-aril weights and aril yield increased during the growing season. However, skin yield and thickness decreased during the growing season. At the beginning of fruit set total soluble solids (TSS) and pH of fruit juices initially decreased and then increased until the end of growing season, while titrate able acidity (TA) increased and then decreased. In addition, results indicated that fruit juice increased more rapidly until 60 DAFS and continued to increase slowly until the end of growing season. In conclusion, ‘Malas-e-Torsh-e-Saveh’ is a late maturing cultivar and its fruit consists of 68% aril (with 68% aril juice) and 32% skin. Also, its fruit pH, TSS and TA were 3.5, 18, and 1, respectively. | |
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