Fresh Fruit Market Research Articles

Culling Tomatoes with External Symptoms of Irregular Ripening Is of Limited Benefit

Mature-green and mature-red tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) fruit were harvested from spring- and fall-grown plants infested with sweet potato whitefly (SPWF; Bemisia tabaci Gennadins). The mature-green fruit were either ripened at 20 to 22C or cold-stored at 10 to 13C for 3 weeks and then were allowed to ripen at 20 to 22C. There was no significant difference in the appearance of either external or internal tomato irregular ripening (TIR) symptoms between the two storage–ripening regimes or in the appearance of internal TIR symptoms among the two storage regimes and vine-ripened tomatoes. Thus, removing the tomatoes from the SPWF during ripening does not reduce TIR symptoms. About half of the mature-green tomatoes, ripened with or without cold storage (10 to 13C), developed no external TIR symptoms, but about half of these tomatoes had internal TIR symptoms. About one-third of the tomatoes developed external symptoms during ripening, but these symptoms disappeared after ripening was complete. A high percentage (71%) of these tomatoes with external symptoms also had internal symptoms. The remaining tomatoes developed external TIR that did not disappear, and almost all of these tomatoes had internal symptoms. These data suggest that culling tomatoes that develop external TIR during ripening will reduce but not eliminate tomatoes with internal TIR from the fresh-fruit market.

Leuconostoc mesenteroidessubsp.mesenteroides,The First Report of a Coccoid Bacterium Causing a Plant Disease

A coccoid bacterium, Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides, was identified for the first time as the causal agent of a postharvest decay of fresh-market tomato fruit in California and Mexico. Symptoms included a sour odor and watery texture of firm and intact fruit. Our original strain (LMM 89-1) and an additional 10 strains isolated from Leuconostoc-decayed or fungal-decayed fruit were identified as the heterofermentative, lactic acid-producing bacterium L. m. subsp. mesenteroides. These strains were identical to the type strain, ATCC 8293. Bacterial strains were identified as members of the genus Leuconostoc primarily on the basis of Gram-positive stain, coccoid morphology, lack of catalase, inability to hydrolyze arginine, and production of CO 2 from glucose; strain LMM 89-1 was identified as L. mesenteroides based, in part, on a fatty acid methyl ester analysis. The strains were identified to the subspecies level based on production of acid from L-arabinose and dextran production on sucrose-amended media. Pathogenicity of strain LMM 89-1 was demonstrated on mature-green tomato fruit by fulfilling Koch's postulates. Symptom development was discernible within 24 h of inoculation as small, slightly sunken, firm, water-soaked lesions. Sequential sampling and culturing over 5 days indicated a logarithmic increase of bacterial populations in fruit tissues. The average doubling time over these periods was 3.6 h for fruit incubated at 20 C and 2.9 h for fruit incubated at 33 C. Using aqueous cell suspensions, strain LMM 89-1 was found to be more virulent (sensu aggressive) to tomato fruit than was the type strain. Strain LMM 89-1 was pathogenic to wound-inoculated fruit of pepper but not tomato leaflets, tomato stems, potato tubers, eggplant fruit, or other nonsolanaceous crops tested. In subsequent samplings of tomato fruit from packinghouses in California and Mexico, L. m. subsp. mesenteroides was isolated from 17 of 21 (81 %) symptomatic fruit, as well as from 309 of 387 (80 %) fungal-decayed fruit. From asymptomatic fruit, the bacterium was isolated from surface sections of tomato fruit but not from internal mesocarp tissue

Ascorbic acid in exotic fruits: a liquid chromatographic investigation

The levels of ascorbic acid (AA) have been measured by means of an HPLC method in 11 different exotic fruits (avocado pear, babaco, feijoa, grapefruit, kiwi, kumquat, litchi, mango, papaya, passion fruit, pineapple) and, for comparative purposes, in two citrus fruits (lemon and orange). They were measured in the exotic fruits at two different stages of ripening: (i) immediately after purchasing from a local fresh fruit market, and (ii) after a one-week period of artificial ripening. The results show that all tropical fruits contain relatively high levels of AA (varying between 20 and 90 mg/100g), with the exceptions of avocado pear and feijoa (whose AA levels are markedly affected by oxidation processes). Moreover, the results show that there is a remarkable loss of AA content (usually 30–40%) after the one-week period of artificial ripening, in all the different tropical fruits considered. They seem to indicate that the process of artificial ripening, which is usually carried out during the short-term storage of exotic fruits, can affect the nutritional value of this kind of food as far as the concentration of the reduced form of vitamin C is concerned.

Marketing of Fresh Vegetables and Fruits by Small Farmers in Tennessee

Direct market alternatives have been advocated as important mechanisms by which the small producer can gain entry into high priced fresh produce markets by cutting short the channels in the traditional market system. The paper examines the traditional marketing system, problems faced by small farmers in this system and various direct marketing alternatives. The study estimates the determinants of the number of various direct marketing outlets in Tennessee, using county lend data. The estimated model provides good fit for pick-your-own operations and its combination with roadside stands. THe co-efficient for per capita income was significant for all outlets except peddlers.

Export Marketing of Fresh Fruits in New Zealand

The development of New Zealand's economy was based largely on exports to England. With the formation of the EEC, New Zealand was forced to find other markets and concentrate on a wider variety of export commodities. Marketing boards for specific products with monopoly power have been at the center of agricultural and horticultural exports in New Zealand. New Zealand has concentrated on developing new varieties, premium quality, research on postharvest handling, branding, and other marketing procedures to compete in the world market and give producers a good return.

Copper contamination of sandy soils and effects on young Hamlin orange trees

During perennial tree production, soil properties are constantly affected by the type, rate and method of application of soil and/or foliar amendments. These amendments are applied repeatedly over a number of years as a part of routine production practices. In the case of amendments containing mobile elements, the residual effect is negligible. However, application of amendments containing immobile elements results in accumulation of those elements in the topsoil. This is usually the case with respect to trace metals such as Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn which are essential for plant growth. In the event of extreme deficiencies of these elements, growth and production are adversely affected. However, in perennial tree crops such as citrus, the quantity of trace metals removed in harvested fruit is extremely small (Smith 1966). Therefore, repeated applications of these trace metals over the years result in their buildup in the topsoil. A case in point is the buildup of Cu in many citrus grove soils in the central ridge area of Florida as a result of routine application of Cu at relatively high rates with fertilizers (Alva and Graham 1991). Copper deficiency related citrus dieback symptoms were observed as early as the 1840's (Smith, 1966). Experimental evidence of Grossenbacker (1916) and Floyd (1917) indicated that application of copper sulfate corrected dieback symptoms, therefore, application of copper sulfate became a routine practice in Florida citrus production during the early 1900's. By the early 1940's, application of Cu in routine citrus fertilization program was often as high as 34 kg/ha. In addition, the routine fungicide spray program added 9 kg Cu/ha annually. Repeated application of Cu in the above doses resulted in buildup of Cu causing Cu toxicity (Reuther and Smith, 1954). In order to meet the fruit quality standards, production practices of groves destined to fresh fruit market require more pesticide spray programs as compared to the groves destined to produce fruit for juice processing. As a result, Cu contribution through pesticide

Exploring International Marketing Management for Fresh Produce in the World

Highlighting the gap between the theories of agricultural marketing and general marketing: that the former has developed with a policy orientation, whereas the latter with a business one, this article argues the necessity of a marketing management approach for international marketing of fresh produce. The empirical investigations incorporate excerpts of seven case studies on international marketing of fresh fruit and vegetables from Belgium, Chile, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, and Turkey. Each case has been investigated in terms of specific marketing management components, and a brief demonstration of product, price, distribution, and promotion concepts in modern marketing has been made for fresh produce. It is concluded that international marketing of fresh produce through the adoption of marketing management provides scope for academic contributions as well as commercial practices.

Stand Establishment and Yield Responses to Improved Direct-seeding Methods of Tomatoes

Primed, pregerminated, or nontreated `FloraDade' tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) seeds in combination with several soil amendments were evaluated in three experiments for stand establishment characteristics and fresh-market fruit yields. Total percent emergence, seedling shoot weight, and marketable fruit yield were not consistently improved by GrowSorb, gel-mix, plug-mix covers, or mixtures with seeds as compared with a control (soil cover). However, rate of emergence was generally faster for plots containing primed or pregerminated seeds with soil amendments than for plots with a soil cover. Primed or pregerminated seeds emerged faster, and had higher total percent emergence and heavier seedling shoot weights than nontreated seeds, but there was little difference in response between primed and pregerminated seeds. Plants from the primed or pregerminated plots produced earlier (first harvest) marketable fruit than did plants from nontreated seed plots in one of three experiments. Priming or pregermination of tomato seeds resulted in a more consistently improved stand establishment than soil amendments.

Postharvest evaluation of transgenic tomatoes with reduced levels of polygalacturonase: processing, firmness and disease resistance

Abstract The pectin-degrading enzyme polygalacturonase (PG) normally accumulates to high levels in ripe tomato fruit. Processing and fresh market tomato genotypes were transformed with an antisense PG construct and lines were developed with fruit which had PG levels reduced by more than 99%. To determine the effect of reduced PG activity on both processing and fresh market tomato products, transgenic tomato plants were field-tested in three separate trials held during 1989 and 1990. Analysis of field-grown material demonstrated a significant increase in the serum viscosity of processed juice and paste, and a significant decrease in softening during storage of fresh market fruit relative to non-transgenic controls. Fruit with reduced PG were also shown, in laboratory tests, to have increased resistance to Geotrichum candidum and Rhizopus stolonifer , fungi which normally infect ripening fruit. Thus, manipulation of PG levels results in multiple phenotypic changes which have important bearings on fruit quality through their effects on the pectic substances.

Damage to Tomato Fruit by The Western Flower Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Cosmetic fruit damage on tomato recently has resulted in downgrading and cullout of freshmarket fruit in the southeastern U.S. The damage consists of small indentations that are sometimes surrounded by a light-colored halo; it began at the same time that western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), populations moved into the geographical area. In addition to F. occidentalis, populations of other Frankliniella spp. commonly inhabit tomato flowers in the region. An understanding of the cause of the damage and its association with Frankliniella spp. is necessary to implement management programs. The objectives were to determine if thrips species inhabiting tomato flowers cause the newly observed cosmetic damage, and to determine the relationship between number of scars per fruit and thrips densities on tomato flowers and small fruit. Results showed that damage was caused by oviposition of female F. occidentalis inhabiting either flowers or small fruit. Other Frankliniella species were not found to cause cosmetic fruit damage. The relationship between the number of scars per tomato fruit and density per flower of F. occidentalis was evaluated by using regression. The relationship was quadratic, although the amount of variation explained by the model was very low (r2 = 0.07). Our research revealed that management efforts should focus on reducing populations of female F. occidentalis to nondamaging levels.

Modelling export opportunities for the Hong Kong fresh fruit and vegetable market

Hong Kong is a major importer of fresh fruit and vegetables. This paper describes a method of quantifying the economic feasibility of export schemes to supply this market. Fresh fruit and vegetable price and throughput data for Hong Kong were collated from import trade declarations for 1985–1987. An analysis of price-quantity relationships over the 3 years from 1985 to 1987 for four very different crops (lemons, onions, lettuce and avocado), supplied by three countries (USA, China and Australia), showed that the semilog form P = α + βln Q, where P = price, Q = quantity and α and β are constants, provided a good description of the relationship. Further analysis showed that competition between these countries did not have a significant effect on the price-quantity relationship. The usefulness of the semilog relationship as a predictor of prices an exporter might receive in Hong Kong was tested using exports from Australia as an example. Models were fitted for 1985–1987 and then used to predict 1988 prices. A comparison with actual prices received showed that this method can be used with some confidence.

VARIATION IN FRUIT QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF PRICKLY PEARS (OPUNTIA SPECIES)

This paper presents the results from a two-year study on fruit quality characteristics of prickly pear accessions belonging to five Opuntia species (O. ficus-indica, O. hyptiacantha, O. inermis, O. linderheimeri and O. megacantha) from a germplasm collection at Texas A&I University. Fruit soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity and ascorbic acid contents were determined using standard procedures. Significant differences in fruit soluble solids and ascorbic acid contents were observed. Accessions belonging to O. ficus-indica consistently had the highest soluble solids (> 12%) and ascorbic contents (>24mg/100g) while accessions belonging to O. lindheimeri consistently had the lowest soluble solids (<8%) and ascorbic acid contents (< 10mg/100g). Fruit acidity was generally low (<0.19%) for all the species. The results suggest potential for developing prickly pears for the fresh fruit market in south Texas.

VARIATION IN FRUIT QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF PRICKLY PEARS (OPUNTIA SPECIES)

This paper presents the results from a two-year study on fruit quality characteristics of prickly pear accessions belonging to five Opuntia species (O. ficus-indica, O. hyptiacantha, O. inermis, O. linderheimeri and O. megacantha) from a germplasm collection at Texas A&I University. Fruit soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity and ascorbic acid contents were determined using standard procedures. Significant differences in fruit soluble solids and ascorbic acid contents were observed. Accessions belonging to O. ficus-indica consistently had the highest soluble solids (> 12%) and ascorbic contents (>24mg/100g) while accessions belonging to O. lindheimeri consistently had the lowest soluble solids (<8%) and ascorbic acid contents (< 10mg/100g). Fruit acidity was generally low (<0.19%) for all the species. The results suggest potential for developing prickly pears for the fresh fruit market in south Texas.

Comportamiento de cultivares de guinea (Musa acuminata, AAA) en cuatro localidades de Puerto Rico

Se determinó el potential de producción y la calidad de los guineos cultivados en diferentes suelos y condiciones climatológicas durante 3 años sucesivos. Los experimentos se llevaron a cabo en Santa Isabel (costa sur) con riego por goteo y en Yabucoa (costa este), Corozal y Gurabo (interior) sin riego. En la cosecha de plantilla se obtuvo el peso vendible y no vendible por cultivar, luego se utilizó este dato para determinar el rendimiento neto por hectárea en todas las cosechas. En el experimento de Yabucoa se evaluó el efecto de la práctica de cortar las manos inferiores sobre el tamaño y peso medio de las frutas en la mano distal del racimo. Además, se hicieron pruebas para determinar la aceptabilidad de las frutas maduras por un grupo de catadores. En Santa Isabel, con riego por goteo, la producción media de las cultivares Ziv y Grand Nain fue de 60,465 kg./ha./año de frutas vendibles, equivalente a 3,322 cajas. Los rendimientos mayores sin riego se obtuvieron en el experimento de Yabucoa, donde las cultivares Valery y Grand Nain produjeron una media de 50,765 kg./ha./año de frutas 62,789 cajas. En la Subestación de Gurabo se obtuvieron los rendimientos más bajos de todas las cultivares. La remoción de dos o más manos inferiores del racimo inmaduro redujo significativamente los rendimientos en todas las cultivares, pero reflejo un aumento en el tamaño y el peso medio de las frutas en la mano distal del racimo. En 50% de las pruebas los catadores no detectaron diferencias apreciables entre las cultivares para apariencia, sabor, textura y aceptabilidad general de las frutas maduras, clasificándolas como aceptables para el mercado. En las restantes pruebas se detectaron diferencias significativas en la cultivar Ziv debido a puntuaciones bajas mayormente causados por la pobre aparienca en el color de la fruta y la presencia de sabores extraños. Sin embargo, los catadores se mantuvieron indecisos con relación a su preferencia por estas frutas. Después de la maduración no se observó ningún "desprendimiento prematuro" de las frutas.

Economic Efficiency in Cooperatives

HE cooperative form of business organization has deep historical roots in the economy. The cooperative dairy association movement began in New York in the mid-1800s as a response to the monopsony power of privately held milk-processing plants.1 It was perceived that a producer cooperative had the ability to produce processed cheese from its members' raw milk at a lower per-unit cost than would have been possible by contracting with a geographically isolated, private, for-profit firm. Modern refrigerated transportation has diminished monopsony power. In modern times, the cooperative form of business has been consciously nurtured as a matter of public policy. The tax laws of the United States exempt cooperatives that meet certain requirements from payment of income taxes.2 Certain other pecuniary advantages are available to agricultural cooperatives. Loans are available to cooperatives at a belowmarket rate of interest. The collective knowledge of the Department of

Influence of Sulfur Dioxide Generators on Red Raspberry Quality During Postharvest Storage

ABSTRACTHand harvested ‘Meeker’ red raspberries were held at 4°, 14°, and 25°C for up to 12 days using two types of sulfur dioxide generating pads. Visual mold ratings were lower for fruits held with either SO2 generator, but Howard Mold Count did not differ between the generators and the control fruits. Fruits stored with the generators were brighter and redder in color than controls when stored at 4°C. Irregular bleaching of anthocyanins from drupelets occurred when fruits were stored at 14°C or higher. Use of SO2 generators is not recommended for fresh market fruit or nonheat treated processing fruit due to the bleaching and due to SO2 residues in the fruit.

Cost Analysis of Computerized Marketing of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Abstract A cost analysis of a computerized marketing system for fresh fruits and vegetables encompassed unit cost comparisons by regional size of operations, single vs. multiple commodities, and conventional vs. computerized marketing. Regions pertinent to this study were the southeastern and eastern United States, where the Southeast was a subset of the East. Selected commodities for the cost analysis were tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai], sweet corn (Zea mays L.), snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), and cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. Capitata group). Unit cost comparisons by region and single vs. multiple commodities depicted the importance of volume traded through the computerized system as it relates to economic efficiency. The analysis indicated that computerized marketing of fresh fruits and vegetables can be less costly than conventional marketing.

A proposed national food distribution plan for a burgeoning developing economy

Frequently, marketing planners, when looking at distributive systems and institutions in foreign countries, are confronted with considerable contrasts to their own, more familiar, systems. This paper is presented as an illustration of one LDCs food distribution system which shows corresponding similarities to other less developed countries which are at the same level of socio-economic and cultural development. In this study, the Turkish food distribution system and the institutions utilized therein are examined. To overcome the existing shortcomings of the Turkish food distribution system, a national marketing plan for the marketing of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as for the marketing of canned foods, is suggested. At the end of the paper, areas for further research are explored for interested researchers.

The Marketing of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables in Port Moresby

The Marketing of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables in Port Moresby

Growth, yield and preliminary selection of seedling guavas in Queensland

Five guava seedlines of Hawaiian origin, namely GA9-37, GA12-1 6, GA10-48, GA11-56 and GA9-39 were yield tested in coastal sub-tropical south-eastern Queensland. The work demonstrated that seedling guavas produce attractive yields comparable with overseas countries. First crop mean yields were 30.72 kg/tree after 18 months in the field, demonstrating the precocious bearing of the guava. Yields for second and third cropping years were 45.6 and 77.9 kg/tree. These yields equate to 24.7, 37.2 and 61.5 tonnes ha-1 at a planting density of 805 trees ha-1. Third crop yields give the attractive gross returns of around $15,000 ha-1, at current prices paid by processors in Queensland. No differences were found between seedlines in annual yields, accumulated crop yields, fruit Number/tree, annual yield per unit cross sectional area of butt (an index of fruitfulness) and accumulated yield per unit cross sectional area of butt. Within seedline, variability masked differential response and these aspects are discussed. Fruit yields and relative increase in butt cross sectional area of butt varied with cropping year. Fruit. number per tree and yield per unit cross sectional area of butt varied with years, as did fruit number per kg (an index of fruit size). The latter also varied with seedlines. These effects were attributed to water rationing in spring of the second crop year. Preliminary selection based on fruit quality aspects of individuals identified four individuals which are undergoing detailed processing assessment, namely GA9-39R1T2, GA11-56T7, GA11-56R5T2 and GA1 1-56R5T1. Two further individuals were selected for fresh fruit market testing, namely GA11-56T3 and GA11 -56R1T1. We believe that market development rather than horticultural problems to be overcome will dictate the success of the guava as a crop for Australia, since the guava is comparatively easy to grow and manage.