Assessment of the organic fruit quality of local and introduced apricot cultivars grown in Tunisia: morphological and physico-chemical attributes

Abstract

Purpose Organic farming system was considered to increase fruit quality and improve food safety. Moreover, many consumers prefer organic products due to their better taste. Among the Prunus species, apricot is well grown in the world due to its good taste and multi uses. Tunisian apricot cultivars are cultivated in many areas, well adapted and characterized by varied pomological characteristics. In fact, due to the demand of the fresh market, there is growing introduction of commercial cultivars with firmness, visual appeal and flavor as principal traits demanded. Here, we aimed to assess the quality of organic apricot among local and introduced cultivars, in order to identify the cultivar(s) with better fruit quality performances. Research method: For this purpose, morphological (attractiveness, shape, surface, ground color of skin, etc.) and physico-chemical (weight, width, TSS, titrable acidity, etc.) attributes of fruit were studied according to the international descriptors of apricot and to the other investigations on fruit quality. Findings: Few differences of morphological attributes but high significant differences for most physico-chemical attributes of organic fruit were observed between local and introduced apricot cultivars. The organic cultivation system promotes the production of high fruit quality (high value of TSS: > 13°Brix, low value of acidity and big size) for the 3 local cultivars. Limitations: No limitations were founded. Originality/Value: Compared to the introduced apricot cultivars, the local ones are characterized by the performances of their fruit quality and also by their best adaptation under organic cultivation system.