Interrelations Among Leaf and Fruit Mineral Nutrients and Fruit Quality in 'Delicious' Apples

Abstract

Relationships were studies between various leaf and fruit mineral nutrients and fruit and quality parameters at harvest and after storage in 'Redchief Delicious' and 'Redspur Delicious' apples (Malus domestica Barkh.). Trees with high yield had smaller fruit with lower soluble solid concentrations (SSC). Fruit color was correlated positively with SSC at harvest in 'Redchief Delicious' and after storage in both strains. Leaf N and fruit N, Ca, Mg, and Mn were correlated negatively with fruit color in both 'Redchief Delicious' and Redspur Delicious'. Fruit K, expressed on a fresh weight basis, was positively correlated with fruit weight, color, and SSC. For elements other than K, the correlations between quality parameters and mineral elements were often stronger when minerals were expressed on a dry weight rather than fresh weight basis. Fruit Ca was correlated negatively with fruit weight and SSC at harvest and after storage and was correlated positively with fruit firmness after storage in both strains. ...