The NY 151 apple selection, a cross of Kuppens Red Spy X Yorking, was made by Roger Way of Cornell University at the NYSAES in Geneva, NY. Due to several orchard weaknesses it was deleted from the NY program but it has performed well in the hot humid mid-Atlantic area. At harvest fruit quality measurements were made over the period 280 to 310 Julian days with the following results: soluble solids rose from 12% to 14.5%; flesh color changed from greenish-white to white and taste changed from tart-balanced to balanced. Fruit firmness often exceeded the 126 newton (N) upper limit of the McCormick tester using an 11 mm tip. Fruit from the 1991 harvest tested about 84 N coming out of cold storage in Feb. but were about 106 N coming out of CA storage in July. In 1992, apples harvested on Oct. 13 and Nov. 4 measured 133 N 75% and 32% of the time respectively, which is the upper limit of the Magness-Taylor tester. In order to compare the 8 and 11 mm tips 150 apples were tested with each tip. Values for the 8 mm tip ranged from 30 - 87 N and from 52 - 133 N for the 11 mm tip. Eleven mm firmness values can be predicted from 8 mm values by the equation y = 3.17 + 1.62x (R squared =.758). Although recommended for pears the 8 mm tip should be used for measuring the at harvest firmness of NY 151 apples.
The market quality and condition of grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf.) were compared after three heat treatments for quarantine control of Caribbean fruit flies [Anastrepha suspensa (Loew)]. Treatment by forced air at 48C for 3 hours was compared with immersions in water at either a constant 48C for 2 hours or with a gradual increase to 48C lasting 3 hours. The immersion at a constant 48C significantly increased weight loss and promoted injury and decay while reducing firmness and color intensity after 4 weeks of storage. By more slowly heating fruit in the gradient water immersion, weight, firmness, and natural color were retained, and injury was substantially reduced, but the incidence of decay remained high. No loss in quality resulted from treatment by forced hot air. These heat treatments had little effect on juice characteristics, although acidity was slightly reduced by each method of application. In taste tests, juice from fruit treated in water that was gradually raised to 48C was preferred over that of fruit treated at a constant 48C.
Application of modified-atmosphere storage (MA) (high carbon dioxide and/or low oxygen) extends the shelf life of several fruits. This study was done to determine the effects of MA on quality and flavor of blackberries. `Navaho' and `Arapaho' blackberries were harvested in 1998 and 1999, precooled overnight at 2 °C, and placed in 0.5-L treatment jars. Treatments of 15% CO2/10% O2 or of air (0.03% CO2/21% O2) were applied at 2 °C for 3, 7, or 14 days. After treatment application, jars were held at 2 °C for an additional 11, 7, or 0 days, respectively. Seven and 14 days of application of CO2 reduced the incidence of decayed and leaky berries by 10% to 20% for both `Arapaho' and `Navaho', but firm berries decreased 10% after 14 days of treatment. Titratable acidity was slightly lower, and pH higher, in control fruit but soluble solids content was not affected by treatment. Anthocyanin content was not affected by treatment in `Arapaho' berries but was lower in `Navaho' berries after 7 and 14 days of treatment. Samples taken for taste tests after 3 and 7 days of treatment had no off-odors or off-flavors. `Arapaho' and `Navaho' blackberries benefitted from high CO2 storage, with a minimum of 7 days of treatment application needed to increase marketable berries by 10%.
Fruit quality, storage potential, and consumer acceptance were evaluated for `Elegant Lady' peach fruit from non-conventional and conventional fertilizer management systems. Conventional treatments were fertilized with synthetic sources of nitrogen (ammonium nitrate), while the non-conventional plots received organic sources of nitrogen such as vetch cover, biosolids compost, grass compost, chicken manure, or steer manure. Fertilization treatments were applied at high (300 N unit per acre) and low rates (100 N unit/acre) 2 years before the first postharvest evaluation. Evaluations were carried out for three seasons. There were no significant differences in fruit firmness (N) measured at different fruit positions, soluble solids concentration (%), pH, titratable acidity (% malic acid), water loss susceptibility (%), rate of softening, red color (%), or inking incidence. The incidence of flesh browning, mealiness, and flesh bleeding was only related to storage time and not to the fertilizer source. Therefore, the storage potential was not affected by the nitrogen fertilizer source. In our in-store consumer preference test during the 1995 season, 950 consumers did not perceive any taste differences between fruit from the different nitrogen fertilizer sources. Despite this, consumers still would prefer to buy fruit produced using an organic source of nitrogen rather than synthetic sources.
We conducted 3 years of field tests comparing two chemicals [methyl anthranilate (MA, a natural compound used as a flavor additive) and Keyplex-350 (a proprietary micronutrient formulation)] that were reported to repel birds to exclusionary plastic netting and nontreated plots. Cumulative fruit damage from birds was monitored on sweet and tart cherry (Prunus avium L. and P. cerasus L.), blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.), and wine grapes (Vitis vinifera × labrusca). Initial MA formulations caused injury to fruit and foliage. Two modified MA formulations with microencapsulation and photooxidation inhibitors provided significant reductions in bird damage and fruit splitting on sweet cherries in one of four experiments. A taste panel could not detect MA residues on sweet cherries at harvest. Bird damage was slightly reduced in MA-treated grapes, but damage to blueberries was similar in MA and control treatments. Keyplex did not deter birds from feeding on fruit and caused blemishes on and an unpleasant flavor in treated fruit. Many bird species were observed feeding on these fruit crops during successive years at the three experimental sites. Although these two chemicals have the potential to deter bird depredation, our work suggests that neither is consistently effective against all the frugivorous species in the northeastern United States. Chemical name used: 2-Aminobenzoic acid methyl ester [methyl anthranilate (MA)].
The relative concentrations of sucrose, glucose, and starch in the xylem and cortex tissues of carrot (Daucus carota) roots were evaluated after harvest and during storage. For the three cultivars (Apache, Bolero, Danvers 126) tested, the cortex tissue contained 76.6, 49.1, and 33.6 mg·g–1 dry weight of sucrose, glucose, and starch, respectively. In comparison, the average contents of sucrose, glucose, and starch in xylem tissues were 57.4, 52.4, and 11.6 mg·g–1 dry weight, respectively. In general, cortex tissue contained higher concentrations of sucrose and starch than the xylem tissues. The glucose concentrations in cortex and xylem were similar. In `Apache', for example, the cortex tissue contained 40% and 57% higher concentrations of sucrose and starch, respectively, than the xylem tissues, whereas glucose content of the cortex was only 7.5% higher than that of the xylem. Since sweetness is largely influenced by sucrose, the relative volume of cortex to xylem must be considered in evaluating carrot cultivars for sweet taste.
3000 ppm to promote fruiting body development. For all five substrates tested, the yield (total fresh weight of fruiting body/bag), the average length of fruiting body, the number of marketable fruiting bodies (with normal stipe, pileus, and a fresh
Fresh-market sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is in high demand from specialty produce markets and commercial restauranteurs. Many consumers are also demanding produce that has been organically grown. Three hydroponic media systems were evaluated twice over two years, rockwool slabs, perlite frames, and commercial sphagnum peat/perlite/compost medium, where the bag was laid flat on the bench. Plants grown in these systems were fertilized with nutrient solutions derived from either organic or conventional, saltbased fertilizer sources. Few differences in yield were detected between basil plants grown in the commercial medium with either fertilizer source. Total yield from plants grown in perlite with the organic fertilizer was 22% greater in the first study and 100% greater in the second study than those for plants grown with the conventional fertilizer. Plants grown in rockwool with the conventional fertilizer were 17% more productive in the first study and 46% more productive in the second study than those grown with the organic fertilizer. Taste test panelists (69%) could discern differences between samples from organically and conventionally grown basil plants, yet no preferences were shown.
Abstract
In a collaborative study at 5 North American locations, treatment with 12% CO2 and 3 to 5% O2 for 2 weeks at 0° to 3°C at the beginning of controlled atmosphere (CA) storage significantly delayed softening of ‘McIntosh’ apples (Malus domestica Borkh.). Softening was retarded further when treatment time and CO2 concentration were increased, and when fruit was harvested less mature. The effect was diminished by treatment at 0°, and was nullified by delayed treatment and slow cooling during treatment. Softening response to CO2 was not influenced by O2 concentration or storage humidification during treatment. CO2 treatment reduced the rates of CO2 and ethylene evolution from the fruit, even after 4 to 5 months of subsequent CA storage, but affected neither soluble solids nor titratable acidity of fruit after storage. When taste panelists could distinguish CO2-treated from nontreated CA apples, they preferred the treated fruit.
These beneficial results were usually accompanied by external CO2 injury, and occasionally by internal CO2 injury; 30 to 50% of the fruit were injured in some tests. Treatment in a non-humidified room reduced CO2 injury without also reducing treatment benefits. We conclude that for ‘McIntosh’, the potential for injury outweighs the benefits obtained from CO2 pre-treatment in CA storage.
Abstract
Carbohydrate analyses were made at harvest and after 7 days of postharvest storage at 65°F on sweet corn hybrid cultivars with endosperm mutant genotypes ae wx, ae du wx, and sh 2 and of standard sweet corn (su 1). Cultivars with the mutant genotypes contained from 1.5 to 2.0 times as much total sugar at harvest as the standard. They also lost more total sugar during the post-harvest period. Still, the hybrids with ae du wx and sh 2 genotypes contained significantly more sugars than the standard after the 7-day storage treatment. The mutant cultivars were low in water soluble polysaccharides but relatively high in starch. All cultivars had approximately the same amount of total carbohydrate. Moisture loss from the kernels during the storage period was significantly less in the mutant cultivars. Therefore, they maintained their fresh appearance longer, and they were slower than standard sweet corn to show kernel denting. Taste tests indicated a preference for the sweetness of the ae wx and ae du wx genotypes over the standard cultivars Golden Security and ‘Iobelle’ (Florida 104), but they were rated below the standards for pericarp toughness. These studies indicated that, with further refinement of certain horticultural and quality characteristics, the ae wx, ae du wx, and sh 2 endosperm mutant genotypes have a definite potential for improving the initial quality and the ability for maintaining good quality during normal post-harvest handling of fresh sweet corn.