Abstract
The influences of irrigation (frequent versus none), crop density (high versus low), and nitrogen (urea fertilizer versus none) on the physico-mechanical properties of mature “Gala” apples were evaluated. Both frequent irrigation and a low crop density increased fruit size. Fruits from non-irrigated trees were firmer and had higher soluble solids concentration (SSC) compared with fruits from frequently irrigated trees. Similarly, the fruits from trees with a low density of crop were firmer and had higher soluble solids concentration (SSC) compared with the fruits from trees with a high crop density. Nitrogen application had no significant effect on any measured fruit property, and both skin strength and stem adhesion force were not affected by orchard treatments. Analyses of fruit attributes at three harvest dates corresponding to early, mid, and late harvest showed that fruit mass and SSC increased towards late harvest, while flesh firmness and skin strength decreased with advancing fruit maturity. The stem adhesion force changed little during the harvest period. Comparison of fruits with stem-end splits and good fruits showed that split fruit had a lower firmness, indicating that split fruits were physiologically more advanced in maturity and ripening.
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