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The effects of soil management systems on the chemical composition and quality of apples. I. Golden delicious apples
Author(s) -
Gormley Ronan,
Robinson David,
O'Kennedy Niall
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.2740240215
Subject(s) - ripening , cultivar , horticulture , flavour , harvest time , yield (engineering) , soil texture , agronomy , botany , mathematics , biology , food science , soil water , ecology , materials science , metallurgy
Abstract The effects of six methods of soil management on quality of Golden Delicious apples were studied in the seasons 1968 to 1971. Tests done included soluble solids content, colour by reflectance and texture using a shear press. Results indicated that this cultivar was sensitive to the different methods tested. Trees growing on soil maintained weed free by herbicide applications produced the highest yield in each season and the fruit, although green, were of acceptable quality. In 1969 and 1971 fruit from trees in grass plots was generally of higher quality than that from non‐grass plots but in 1970 the reverse was the case. Results of taste panel tests indicated that there was a positive correlation between soluble solids content and panel response. In two years there was a negative correlation between panel response and yield. Tests on ripening green Golden Delicious on the tree by delaying picking for 21 days beyond the normal harvest date showed that quality deteriorated significantly during the period. Storage of green fruit at 20°C for 17 days had a beneficial effect on colour and flavour but texture was adversely affected. These tests were done in one season only.