Summer Pruning, an Eco-Friendly Approach to Controlling Bitter Pit and Preserving Sensory Quality in Highly Vigorous Apple cv. ‘Reinette du Canada’

Marcos Guerra,Pedro Antonio Casquero,Álvaro Rodríguez-González,Miguel Ángel Sanz

doi:10.3390/agriculture11111081

Abstract

Summer pruning reduces vegetative growth in apple trees, but it could have an impact on fruit quality. This study analyzed the effects of summer pruning as an eco-friendly pre-harvest alternative to chemical growth regulation inputs on instrumental and sensory quality of highly vigorous apple cv. ‘Reinette du Canada’, which has been awarded with a Protected Designation of Origin label in two environments. The results showed that summer pruning affected the mineral content of the fruit. Summer pruning reduced bitter pit, but it did not negatively affect fruit weight nor any other instrumental characteristic during storage. Moreover, sensory quality or degree of liking were not affected by summer pruning. Thus, summer pruning could be an eco-friendly pre-harvest alternative to chemical treatments to improve quality in global terms of ‘Reinette du Canada’ apple cultivar, regardless of the location. This technique contributed to the decrease of bitter pit incidence, but did not decrease sensory quality nor degree of liking.

Highlights

Reduction of fresh produce waste is an essential prerequisite of sustainable horticulture [1]
Designation of Origin (PDO) within the European Community (Commission Regulation (EC) No 2601/2001) due to its characteristic flattened shape, high firmness, high degree of skin russet and high level of acidity [3]. The consumption of this apple cultivar, as fresh fruit and as dessert fruit, is well-known in Spanish homes, and modified atmosphere packaging in refrigeration conditions has been effective to extend the sensory acceptability of roasted apple cv
This cultivar is severely affected by bitter pit (BP) during storage [5]

Summary

Introduction

Reduction of fresh produce waste is an essential prerequisite of sustainable horticulture [1]. Designation of Origin (PDO) within the European Community (Commission Regulation (EC) No 2601/2001) due to its characteristic flattened shape, high firmness, high degree of skin russet and high level of acidity [3]. The consumption of this apple cultivar, as fresh fruit and as dessert fruit (roasted apple), is well-known in Spanish homes, and modified atmosphere packaging in refrigeration conditions has been effective to extend the sensory acceptability of roasted apple cv. BP, is described as one of the most important physiological disorders of apple fruit whose symptoms appear late in the season and during storage, and can cause significant loss of profitability [6]. In addition to Ca levels, the ratio of this nutrient to others such as magnesium, potassium and nitrogen can play a more important role in cell and tissue metabolism than the role of each nutrient alone [8]

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Discussion

Conclusion