Organic versus integrated apple growing: II. differences in fruit quality parameters

The aim our study was to establish whether significant differences in nutrients uptake and quality of fruit exist between organic and integrated grown apples. The study was performed at the orchard Fruit Research Station, University of Debrecen, at Debrecen-Pallag during 2002–2004. Diameter (mm), weight (g), firmness (N/cm2), dry matter (%) and Vitamin C in fruit were determined. Diameter data showed that the size of apples strongly depended on cultivars and organic apples were larger than integrated ones. Moreover, the effect of year and species strongly affected the apple diameter, size and weight. Measured data of firmness were good agreement in data of diameter and weight. Larger fruits have lower values of firmness due to the structure of fruit flesh. Dry matter content of apples varied between 14.66 and 18.07 in integrated, and 12.87 and 17.29 in organic apples according to cultivars. Values were affected by years and cultivars. From results it was evident that the dry matter content of apples affected by production system. It was lower in organic samples than integrated ones. Vitamin C content of apples was stronger affected by species and years than production system. International Journal of Horticultural Science 2009, 15 (4): 61–63. Agroinform Publishing House, Budapest, Printed in Hungary ISSN 1585-0404