Comparison of the carbohydrate content in apples and carrots grown in organic and integrated farming systems

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare some quality parameters of apples and carrots from organic and integrated farming systems. In addition, the cultivars of carrots were grown in two plant densities (600 or 900 thousand plants per hectare). The fructose, glucose, saccharose and dry matter content of seven apple cultivars (Florina, Zvonkové, Topaz, Šampion, Ontario, Melrose and Idared) and two carrot cultivars (Afalon F1 and Cortina F1) were analysed by HPLC and gravimetric methods, respectively. Significant differences were found between organic and integrated apple samples. The interactions between cultivars and farming methods were also significant (p <0.0001). The dry matter and sugar level tendencies were not the same for all apple cultivars. Conversely, more consistent data were obtained for the two carrot cultivars. The bio carrots of both cultivars showed significantly lower dry matter content (p = 0.0004) and higher carbohydrate content (pfructose = 0.0303, pglucose = 0.0003, psucrose = 0.0083) than the samples from integrated production. Other factors like cultivar and plant density also played an important role in sugar content in carrots. Different densities of plants significantly affected the glucose content (p = 0.0373). Cultivar Aftalon F1 showed higher concentration of monosaccharides compared to Cortina F1 (pfructose = 0.0001 and pglucose <0.0001).