Comparative study of some fruit quality characteristics of two of <i>Annona cherimola</i> Mill. grown in southern Italy

Abstract

This work aimed to analyse the differences between fruits obtained by different harvest dates in two cultivars Annona cherimola (Fino de Jete and Campas) planted in Southern Italy. The fruits selected at the fruit-set time were harvested when 1500 Degree Day were accumulated. Fruits were sampled from October to December when 1500 Growing Degree Days (DD) were accumulated from fruit-set. Fruit fresh weight and skin colour were measured at harvest and after storage. The following parameters were also measured: Fruit shape, pulp colour, pulp firmness, number of seeds, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, total polyphenol content, total antioxidant capacity and fruit dry weight. An MFA was carried out. In the first phase of the MFA, a PCA was performed for each group of quantitative variables (PPCA). Then, the variables were divided into five groups: Carpological (CR), colourimetric (CL), maturation index (MI), nutraceutical (NU), and Environmental (Env). All relations between the variables and the formation of the factors were affected. The multifactorial factor analysis has allowed evaluating the role that the different groups of variables, taken into consideration, have in defining the time harvest. In order to have fruits of regular shape and size, the harvest must be carried out within the last ten days of October, involving the pollinated flower within the third week of June. About the size and regularity of the fruit, from the third week of June, it appears to be borderline, as the fruits are smaller in size, with fewer seeds, but still, guarantee size and shape that falls within the quality standards of the Annona cherimola. Between the two cultivars, Fino de Jete cultivar is more sensitive to temperature increases during the pollination period than the Campas cultivar.