Postharvest Fruit Quality and Growth of ‘Pacific Gala’ Apple Trees at Different Ages as Influenced by Irrigation and Rootstock

Abstract

The effects of four rootstocks and two irrigation systems on tree growth, and fruit quality after storage in ‘Pacific Gala’ apple [(Malus × domestica) Borkh] were examined. Trees on ‘Budagovsky 9’ (‘B.9’) had a smaller trunk cross sectional area (TCA) and higher yield efficiency, while those on ‘Supporter4’ (‘Sup.4’) had larger TCA and lower yield efficiency than those on other rootstocks. Trees on ‘Nic.29’ (‘RN29’) had higher yield per tree as compared to those on other rootstocks. Trees on ‘RN29’ often had higher fruit weight, while trees on ‘B.9’ had lower fruit weight than did those on other rootstocks. Trees on ‘Sup.4’had lower yields and smaller fruits than those on ‘RN29’ every year. Fruits from trees on ‘B.9’ and ‘Cornell-Geneva30’ (‘CG.30’) often had higher soluble solids concentration (SSC) than other rootstocks at harvest and after storage. Fruits from trees on ‘CG.30’ also had higher fruit spoilage after storage. Trees with full sprinkler (FS) irrigation had higher TCA than those with the full drip (FD) system. ‘Gala’ fruit from trees with FS consistently had better color than those with the FD system every year.