ISHS Acta Horticulturae 810: IX International Vaccinium Symposium
PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF LEAF AND SOIL FERTILIZER APPLICATIONS ON HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY 'LATEBLUE' TO IMPROVE FRUIT QUALITY |
| Authors: | G.L. Beccaro, M. Cavanna, M.G. Mellano, G. Bounous |
| Keywords: | Vaccinium corymbosum L., calcium, post-harvest, storage |
| Abstract:
Highbush blueberries, Vaccinium corymbosum L., are the most profitable berry fruit in Italy. To maintain high quality standards and to satisfy the market demand, the relationships between fertilization and the evolution of the quality during cold storage play an important role. This preliminary study was conducted during 2007 at the Extension Farm in Boves (Cuneo, Northern Italy) to evaluate the relationships between the application of two Ca-based fertilizers and post-harvest quality of ‘Lateblue’ highbush blueberry. A leaf calcium fertilizer was sprayed 60, 45, 30 and 15 days before harvest and a soil fertilizer was distributed at bud break and after flowering. Samples of berries were picked and placed in normal atmosphere (NA) cold storage for 5 weeks. At harvest and weekly during storage, the following parameters were measured: total soluble solids content (TSS) titratable acidity (TA), pH, weight loss and aspect. Results were compared with the fruit harvested on non-treated plots. Positive effects on the measured parameters were observed. | |
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