Tree vigor, yield, fruit quality, and antioxidant capacity of apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) influenced by different fertilization regimes: preliminary results

Tomo Milošević,Nebojša Milošević

doi:10.3906/tar-1803-109

Abstract

Tree growth, productivity, fruit quality attributes, and antioxidant activity were tested in apple cultivar Idared under different fertilization treatments from the 22nd to the 23rd year after planting in a heavy acidic soil under western Serbian conditions. Treatments included the use of aged cattle manure, compound NPK (15:15:15) mineral fertilizer, a multinutrient fertilizer commercially named Italpolina (ITP) (NPK + organic carbon + humic acids), two types of N mineral fertilizers (calcium ammonium nitrate [CAN] and urea), and control (no fertilization). Results showed that Idared trees were more vigorous when fertilized with the two N fertilizers than when treated with another mineral, organic, or multinutrient fertilizer. Urea promoted the highest yield per tree and unit area, while yield efficiency was the highest in the control and those under treatment with urea, compound NPK, and manure. Fertilizer regimes had a significant effect on fruit weight and flesh firmness, but their effects on fruit size and dimension ratio were not significant. Compound NPK resulted in the greatest fruit weight, whereas firmness and soluble solids content were the highest in manure treatment. Titratable acidity (TA) was the highest in control trees and after CAN application, while urea induced the highest ripening index. Fertilizer treatments had no significant effect on the contents of invert sugars, sucrose, and total sugars (TS). The TS/TA ratio was highest under urea treatment and lowest in the control and under CAN application. ITP led to the highest values for total phenolics, total nonflavonoids, and total antioxidant capacity, while the highest total flavonoid content was obtained with compound NPK.

Highlights

Apples are the most important and most popular fruit crop in temperate climate zones, and their production is increasing
Tree growth habit and productivity The present study clearly indicates that factors such as organic, organomineral, and mineral fertilizers may affect tree growth and productivity-related properties of apple cultivar Idared (Table 1)
These results were expected, given that both of these fertilizers contained higher amounts of N compared to the other fertilizers and improved tree growth (Hill-Cottingham and Williams, 1967; Pole et al, 2017), which is in accordance with the physiological role of N

Summary

Introduction

Apples are the most important and most popular fruit crop in temperate climate zones, and their production is increasing. The apple is a convenient fruit available in retail throughout the world all year as a result of its high storability. Crispy flesh, pleasant flavor, and sweetness attract consumers and fetch a high price (Asif Ali et al, 2004). Appearance, fruit size, unifor mity, color, and freshness, as well as nonvisual attributes such as taste, aroma, flavor, firmness (texture), nutritional value, and health benefits, are components that determine the attractiveness of fruit to consumers (Nour et al, 2010). Firmness and aroma appear to be the most important factors for consumers. Some phytochemicals such as sugars, organic acids, and phenolic compounds contribute to the aroma of apples (Mikulič Petkovšek et al, 2009)

Methods

Results

Conclusion