Late Harvest Date Research Articles

Positive Impact of Late Harvest Date on Polyphenolic Composition of Plavac Mali (Vitis vinifera L.) Wine Depends on Location.

Asynchronous ripening is a significant challenge in winemaking. Green berries reduce alcohol and pH while increasing acidity. Green berries are rich in bitter and astringent compounds, with an unknown impact on wine quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of harvest date and vineyard location on the polyphenolic composition of Plavac Mali wines in Dalmatia, Croatia. Experiments were conducted in two locations, Split and Zadar, producing fifteen wines per location from four harvest dates (H1-H4), including green berry wines from H1. The first harvest date occurred 27 days after véraison (DAV) and the last at 69 DAV, corresponding to overripeness. Green berry wines of H1 had low alcohol content up to 4.4% (v/v) in Split. Epigallocatechin was the main flavonoid in those wines, followed by dimer B1 in Split and catechin in Zadar. Green wines from Split had a higher concentration of phenolic acids, flavan-3-ol monomers and dimers. Wines of H3 had the highest concentration of malvidin-3-O-glucoside. With a later harvest date, a dramatic decrease in catechin and dimers was observed in wines from Split, and a decrease in epicatechin, epigallocatechin and dimer B1 in those from Zadar. The final expression of the physiochemical and polyphenolic composition of Plavac Mali wine is determined by the dynamics of harvest date, location and their interactions.

Dangler for Accelerated Dehydration: A Novel System for Assessing the Impacts of Relative Humidity on Fruit Water Loss During Cold Storage of Blueberries

Blueberries are prone to dehydration during storage. Firmness is one of the most critical quality attributes associated with this period, with the loss of water from the fruit representing the most significant limitation for the fresh market. Therefore, one of the great challenges is maintaining the quality characteristics of the fruit in shipments by sea, which can take up to 60 days when sent from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere. The random arrangement of each fruit within a packaging unit (different proportions of the stem scar and cuticular surface exposed to the environment) represents an essential source of variation in the prediction of softening during the storage period. A special device, referred to as a dangler for accelerated dehydration (DAD), was designed to expose nearly the entire fruit surface to the environment and determine the impact of factors such as relative humidity and the role of the stem scar and cuticle on fruit water loss. Consequently, to evaluate the ability of DADs to find differences in fruit dehydration, blueberries sampled at early, peak, and late harvest dates were placed in DADs and exposed to three controlled levels of relative humidity (30%, 65%, and 96% relative humidity; 1.2 ± 0.7 °C) for 10 days. Berries within the DADs were untreated, immersed in hexane for 5 seconds to remove bloom, painted with quick-drying nail polish on the pedicel end to seal the stem scar or immersed in hexane for 5 seconds, and painted with quick-drying nail polish on the pedicel end. At each harvest, fruit weight loss was significantly affected by the fruit and RH treatments, as well as the interaction between them. A regression analysis of the control treatment indicated that water loss at lower relative humidities occurred faster in fruit from the first harvest. The results reveal that DADs can be used to characterize preharvest and postharvest stimuli at an individual level and within a short time (10 days).

Co-Harvest and Anaerobic Co-Storage of Corn Grain and Stover as Biomass Feedstocks

Highlights Cutting height and harvest date were used to alter stover moisture content, yield, and composition. Anaerobic co-storage of grain and stover limited losses to less than 6% of dry matter. Extent of fermentation was greater for higher moisture stover than grain, but total acids were less than 5 g kg-1. Reducing the harvester cutter head rotational speed resulted in a greater fraction of whole corn kernels. Abstract. This research investigated the utility of co-harvesting and anaerobic co-storage of corn grain and stover to positively influence their physical and chemical characteristics as a biomass feedstock. Corn grain and stover were harvested in 2019 and 2020 with a self-propelled forage harvester. Stover yield, moisture content, and composition were altered by the harvest date, stubble height, and header configuration. Harvest date had the utility of varying the stover moisture content (p < 0.001) from 42.3% to 53.5% (w.b.) and 43.1% to 53.9% (w.b.) for the 2019 and 2020 harvest years, respectively. Stubble height was also utilized to vary stover moisture content. A negative linear relationship was established between stubble height and stover moisture content for the early (R2 = 0.76) and late harvest (R2 = 0.91) dates for both years. Stover yield also showed a negative linear relationship (R2 = 0.76) with stubble height over both years. Regardless of the stubble height, the row-crop header collected more stover (p < 0.001) than the ear-snapper header. In 2020, harvested stover ranged from 5.0 to 10.5 Mg ha-1, with ha-1 representing 41% to 85% of the total available stover. In both years, stover ash content was less than 64 g kg-1. Material stored in pilot-scale silos (19 L) was well conserved during anaerobic storage, with average DM losses of 4.8% and 3.4% in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Grain moisture content averaged 23.6% (w.b.) at harvest, and 31.0% (w.b.) after storage as moisture migrated from the moist stover to the drier grain. Harvesting whole-plant corn with a forage harvester had the unwanted effect of reducing the particle size of the grain fraction, which would complicate downstream utilization. However, reducing the harvester cutterhead speed increased the fraction of intact kernels from 47% to 85% by mass. The studied system was a viable alternative to conventional corn grain and stover systems for producing feedstocks for biochemical conversion. Keywords: Ash, Ensiling, Ethanol, Maize.

Transcriptome and Gene Regulatory Network Analyses Reveal New Transcription Factors in Mature Fruit Associated with Harvest Date in Prunus persica.

Harvest date is a critical parameter for producers and consumers regarding agro-industrial performance. It involves a pleiotropic effect controlling the development of other fruit quality traits through finely controlling regulatory mechanisms. Fruit ripening is a process in which various signals and biological events co-occur and are regulated by hormone signaling that produces the accumulation/degradation of multiple compounds. However, the regulatory mechanisms that control the hormone signaling involved in fruit development and ripening are still unclear. To investigate the issue, we used individuals with early, middle and late harvest dates from a peach segregating population to identify regulatory candidate genes controlling fruit quality traits at the harvest stage and validate them in contrasting peach varieties for this trait. We identified 467 and 654 differentially expressed genes for early and late harvest through a transcriptomic approach. In addition, using the Arabidopsis DAP-seq database and network analysis, six transcription factors were selected. Our results suggest significant hormonal balance and cell wall composition/structure differences between early and late harvest samples. Thus, we propose that higher expression levels of the transcription factors HB7, ERF017 and WRKY70 in early harvest individuals would induce the expression of genes associated with the jasmonic acid pathway, photosynthesis and gibberellins inhibition. While on the other hand, the high expression levels of LHY, CDF3 and NAC083 in late harvest individuals would promote the induction of genes associated with abscisic acid biosynthesis, auxins and cell wall remodeling.

The occurrence of Fusarium species in white spears of Asparagus officinalis

The aim of the study was to determine the species composition of fungi of the Fusarium genus found on white Asparagus officinalis spears, depending on the presence or absence of disease symptoms, age of the plantation, date of harvest and the place from which samples were collected for mycological analysis. Additionally, the pathogenicity of selected Fusarium spp. isolates was determined. A. officinalis L. was cultivated for white spears. The research was conducted on the German dioecious cultivar ‘Eposs’. Samples of A. officinalis spears for tests were collected from two plantations. Six species of fungi of the Fusarium genus were identified in the asparagus spears: F. culmorum, F. equiseti, F. oxysporum, F. proliferatum, F. solani, and F. fujikuroi. Among the Fusarium species colonizing Asparagus officinalis the greatest threat is F. oxysporum. Always there are more isolates in the spears with the symptoms, in epidermis. The late harvest date favors the development of fusariosis. This means that the spears harvested at the latest date (late June) are the most heavily colonised by fungi. The isolates of fungi of the Fusarium genus collected from the spears exhibit pathogenicity against A. officinalis plants.

Preharvest Factors Affecting Quality on “Abate Fetel” Pears: Study of Superficial Scald with Multivariate Statistical Approach

Although superficial scald (SS) is well characterized on apples, there are only a few insights concerning the influence that agronomic and management variability may have on the occurrence of this physiological disorder on pears. In this study, we aimed to improve our understanding of the effect of different preharvest factors on SS development using a multivariate statistical approach. Pears (Pyrus communis L.) cv “Abate Fetel” were picked during two consecutive seasons (2018-2019 and 2019-2020) from twenty-three commercial orchards from three growing areas (Modena, Ferrara, and Ravenna provinces) in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Bioclimatic indices such as weather and soil, agronomic management such fertilization and irrigation, orchard features such as rootstock and training systems, and SS incidence were carried out at harvest and periodically postharvest in all producers. Two different storage scenarios (regular atmosphere and use of 1-MCP) were also evaluated. Our data in both seasons showed high heterogeneity between farms for SS symptoms after cold storage either in the regular atmosphere or with 1-MCP treatment. Nevertheless, in 2018, all the producers showed SS at the end of the storage season, but in 2019 some of them did not exhibit SS for up to 5 months. In fact, some preharvest factors changed considerably between the two seasons such as yield and weather conditions. Indeed, some factors seem to affect SS in both growing seasons. Some can increase its occurrences such as physiological and agronomical factors: high yields, late date of blooming, heavy downpours, improper irrigation management (low watering frequency and high volumes), nitrogen (included that deriving from organic matter), soil texture (presence of clay), orchard age, and canopy volume in relation to training system and rootstock. Others can decrease SS such as climatic and management factors: late harvest dates, rain, gibberellins, calcium, manure, absence of antihail nets or use of photoselective nets, and site (probably related to better soils toward the Adriatic coast). Initial preharvest variability is an important factor that modulates physiological plant stress and, subsequently, the SS after cold storage in “Abate Fetel” pears. Multivariate techniques could represent useful tools to identify reliable multiyear preharvest variables for SS control in pear fruit different batches.

A process-based model of nectarine quality development during pre- and post-harvest

A new mathematical modeling framework able to simulate the combined effect of fruit growth and post-harvest storage conditions (temperature and relative humidity) on nectarine quality is here proposed. The seasonal course of fruit surface conductance to water vapor, fruit mass loss during storage, and sugar concentration dynamics in fruit pulp were modeled. The three sub-models were integrated into a model capable of calculating a fruit sweetness index and relative water loss during storage, which were selected as nectarine quality criteria. Sub-models parameters were calibrated through results from experiments carried on during 2018 and 2019, where horticultural practices (irrigation and fruit load) and storage conditions were jointly varied.Irrigation level influenced fruit surface conductance to water vapor at harvest, but experimental results point out that this variable may have little influence on fruit mass loss during storage, which was mainly driven by relative humidity in the storage chamber. Irrigation intensity was also influential on sugar dynamics, along with storage temperature, with fruit stored at the higher temperature (25 °C) being sweeter than those stored at lower ones (2 and 15 °C). These experimental results were well replicated by the sub-model outputs.Model simulations during storage revealed a trade-off between the two selected quality criteria, which increased with increasing storage temperature and decreasing relative humidity. The best scenario in terms of acceptable fruit mass loss and sweetness index was for fruit from water-stressed and low crop-loaded trees, 15 °C and 70% relative humidity. Moreover, storage duration was shown to increase fruit mass loss and, to a lesser extent, the sweetness index, while fruit from late harvest dates had higher sweetness at the end of storage. The model can potentially be used to manage and optimize pre-harvest and storage practices that will maximize sweetness and minimize mass loss to meet fruit quality standards along supply chains.

Harvest maturity affects the browning of fresh-cut potatoes by influencing contents of amino acids

Abstract Browning is the major issue affecting the quality and shelf-life of fresh-cut potatoes. In this paper, in order to study the influences of maturity on browning and its mechanism, potatoes were harvested at three different stages, and the browning degrees, related physiological and biochemical properties of potatoes were evaluated. The results showed that with the increased maturity, potatoes are more prone to browning. However, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities of late harvested potatoes were lower than early and middle harvested ones, and main PPO genes expressed significantly higher in early harvested potatoes than in middle and late harvested ones. Generally, the antioxidant capacity was enhanced with the increase of maturity, which was not in line with more browning of late harvested potato. The content of total free amino acids (FAAs) increased significantly in late harvested potatoes, and adding the differential contents of total FAAs aggravated the mash browning of early harvested potato. Accumulation of each FAA also increased significantly with the development stage from middle to late harvest date. Addition of differential amino acids showed that isoleucine and other eleven amino acids can inhibit the browning of potato mash, but serine, lysine and tyrosine, especially tyrosine, promoted the browning degree significantly. Results demonstrated that harvest maturity affects the browning of fresh-cut potatoes by influencing the accumulation of FAAs especially tyrosine, not by PPO activity and antioxidant capacity. This research comprehensively elucidated why the potatoes with different maturities have different browning degrees.

Impact of Cultivar, Harvest Date and Threshing Parameter Settings on Floret and Carthamidin Yield of Safflower

The industrial need for safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) increased over the last decade due to its potential use as food colorant. Safflower is mainly cultivated in Asia for its use as floret. In Germany, an economically attractive cultivation for floret use would require a mechanization of harvest. In order to develop a mechanical harvesting system, field experiments were conducted at the experimental station Ihinger Hof of the University Hohenheim in 2017 and 2018. Safflower was harvested with a combine harvester to obtain the florets. Two safflower (i) cultivars were harvested with (ii) three threshing parameter settings on (iii) five harvest dates to evaluate threshed floret yield, dry matter and carthamidin content, and carthamidin yield. Results showed that the maximum threshed floret yield was achieved at the latest harvest date (784.78–1141.76 kg ha−1), while the highest carthamidin contents were observed depending on cultivar on the first two harvest dates (0.53–3.14%). The decisive and resulting amount of carthamidin yield reached its maximum with the Chinese cultivar and the threshing parameter setting P3 between the fourth and fifth harvest date in 2018 (19.05–19.36 kg ha−1). Highest dry matter contents were achieved at the last harvest date (62.67–77.77%). Individual capitula weight and carthamidin content decreased with later harvest dates. Further investigations should clarify whether the individual capitula weight and carthamidin content correlate with each other or are independent of the date of harvest. This could be a decisive criterion for the selection of cultivars for harvesting florets with a combine harvester. Reduced costs of machine harvesting compared to hand harvesting will make the cultivation of safflower for the food coloring industry in Germany more attractive in the future.

Can We Select Sugarbeet Harvesting Dates Using Drone‐based Vegetation Indices?

In the Northern Great Plains, sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) harvesting is stretched out from August to October. Sensors mounted on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) may provide the information needed to identify sugarbeet approaching an optimum harvesting date that maximizes the recoverable sugar yield. The objective of this study was to relate the vegetation indices at early‐ and late‐harvest time with corresponding sugarbeet root yield, sugar concentration, and recoverable sugar yield (RSY) at three fields in the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota during 2017 and 2018. Vegetation indices was determined based on the multispectral imagery collected using UAV. Early harvest dates (19 Sept. 2017 and 21 Aug. 2018) reduced yield and RSY in 5 of 6 site‐years, compared to late harvest dates (3 Oct. 2017, 4 Sept. 2018, and 18 Sept. 2018). In general, delaying harvest increased red normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and reduced red edge NDVI (RENDVI). However, Pearson correlation between yield and vegetation indices did not show consistent relationship across harvesting date, site, and growing season. Pooling all site‐year data showed a significant relationship between RENDVI and yield and RSY. Use of in‐season yield estimate (RENDVI/growing degree days) has potential to explain 46% of sugarbeet root yield and RSY.Core Ideas Sugarbeet yield and sugar content is directly related to the length of growing season. Late harvest in September increased recoverable sugar yield. Sugar concentration did not change with harvest date. Association between drone‐based indices and yield varied with site‐year.

Effect of climate and ripening on sour cherry Maraska and Oblačinska bioactive properties

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of climate conditions and ripening on total phenols (TP), total monomeric anthocyanins (TAC) and antioxidant capacity (AC) of Maraska and Oblačinska sour cherries. For that reason, TP using Folin-Ciocalteau reagent, TAC by pH-differential method and AC via DPPH method were determined in Maraska and Oblačinska sour cherry samples harvested in Zadar and Osijek area in 2014 at three maturity stages. Despite that statistical analysis showed significant differences in TP and AC between cultivars and growing locations, obtained results revealed considerable functional properties of both cultivars. Still, Maraska achieved higher TP, TAC and AC values compared to Oblačinska. Furthermore, Mediterranean climate conditions positively affected on bioactive compounds accumulation in both cultivars, where generally the highest contents of examined bioactive compounds were accomplished at the latest harvest date.

Predicted harvest time effects on switchgrass moisture content, nutrient concentration, yield, and profitability

Production costs change with harvest date of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) as a result of nutrient recycling and changes in yield of this perennial crop. This study examines the range of cost of production from an early, yield-maximizing harvest date to a late winter harvest date at low moisture and low nutrient concentration using different harvest systems as dictated by the moisture content of the standing crop. Harvest systems with a field-drying interval and multiple harvest passes were compared to a single-pass harvest when moisture content had naturally declined to storage-safe conditions or when artificial drying at the plant would be required. Results showed that the single-pass harvest requiring artificial drying was either i) as costly or more so than declines in yield observed with letting the standing crop dry to 20% moisture in the field; or ii) not economically viable in comparison to multi-pass harvest with a field drying interval at higher yield. Sites where yield losses due to harvest delays were small showed promise for the single-pass harvest at storage-safe moisture, as nutrient replacement costs with greater nutrient recycling and harvest cost savings with a single pass offset yield losses with delayed harvest. Extending the harvest season had different producer cost ramifications amongst environments and led to large changes in nutrient concentrations in harvested biomass. This may be problematic for biorefineries seeking stable nutrient content in feedstock.

Pre-harvest methyl jasmonate treatments delayed ripening and improved quality of sweet cherry fruits

Abstract The effects of pre-harvest methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatments on fruit quality attributes and bioactive compounds of sweet cherry fruits (Prunus avium L. cvs. 0900 Ziraat, Regina and Sweetheart) harvested at optimal and late harvest dates were investigated in this study. Measurements revealed that MeJA treatments were quite effective in retention of fruit flesh firmness of all three cultivars. It was observed that harvest could be delayed at least a week with MeJA treatments through maintaining flesh firmness. MeJA treatments slowed down color changes in all three cultivars. MeJA treatments did not have significant effects on fruit mass and geometric mean diameters, but decreased soluble solids content and titratable acidity of the fruits. In all three cultivars, total phenolics, antioxidant capacity and total monomeric anthocyanin values decreased with MeJA treatments. Delayed harvests increased bioactive contents of both the control and MeJA-treated fruits.

Acrotomopus atropunctellus(Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Preference for Large Sugarcane Shoots Mitigates Damage to Sugarcane Crop

Summary The sugarcane weevil, Acrotomopus atropunctellus (Boheman) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is an increasingly important sugarcane pest in Argentina. Its emergence period overlaps with early stages of sugarcane phenology. This research assessed the preference of A. atropunctellus for shoot size and the effect of damage on shoot survival. Acrotomopus atropunctellus preferred to feed on large- and mediumsized shoots, regardless of sex. However, older plants were resistant to injury. Also, the number of punctures produced by females was 1.6 times greater than that produced by males. Avoiding late planting or harvest dates could be a useful tactic for mitigating A. atropunctellus incidence in sugarcane crops.

Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization on Subtropical Peach Fruit Quality: Organic Acids, Phytochemical Content, and Total Antioxidant Capacity

Producing temperate-zone fruit crops in subtropical environments requires alterations in fertilizer application and rates. Nitrogen (N) is a critical mineral nutrient required in high amounts by the tree; however, it is often over- or under-applied for optimal fruit quality and can affect the phytochemical composition of fruits. The effects of different N fertilizer rates and harvest date on total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, total anthocyanins, total antioxidant capacity, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and organic acids (citric and malic acid) of two subtropical peach (Prunus persica) cultivars, TropicBeauty and UFSharp, were investigated. N rate did not affect total soluble solids in ‘TropicBeauty’, although total soluble solids decreased as N rate increased in ‘UFSharp’. Titratable acidity and organic acid content was significantly higher in ‘UFSharp’ as compared with ‘TropicBeauty’, although there was no effect of N rate on titratable acidity. An overall increase in phenolic content, flavonoid content, anthocyanins, and antioxidant capacity were observed with decreasing N rates in both subtropical peach cultivars. A stronger genotype × N treatment interaction was observed for ‘TropicBeauty’ for phenolic content, flavonoid content, and antioxidant capacity than for ‘UFSharp’. In ‘TropicBeauty’, among the treatments with no N and highest N, an almost 100% increase in phenolic content, 200% increase in flavonoid content, 50% increase in anthocyanin content, and 80% increase in antioxidant activity was observed. A positive correlation among phenolic content, flavonoid content, and antioxidant capacity was observed in both ‘TropicBeauty’ and ‘UFSharp’. Late harvest date decreased phenolic content in ‘TropicBeauty’, ranging from 6% to 32% among different N treatments. Late harvest increased anthocyanin content as compared with fruit that were harvested on early dates. The results suggest that subtropical peach phytochemical composition can be affected by different cultivars and tree age, and can be manipulated with cultural practices like N fertilization and harvest time to produce fruit with altered or desired nutritional composition for consumers.

Preliminary estimation of forage yield and feeding value of Lupinus angustifolius varieties cultivated in Jalisco, México, during the cool season

The effects of genotype and harvest date on lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) forage yield and quality were evaluated in Zapopan Jalisco, Mexico. Cultivars Haags Blaue, Boregine, Borlu, Probor, Sonate, and Boruta were grown during the 2013–2014 cool season and harvested twice, in January (early harvest) and February (late harvest). Fresh and dry matter (FM, DM) yield, crude protein(CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), minerals, and total alkaloids were measured at each harvest. FM yields varied from 9.1 to 12.2 t ha-1 and from 23.4 t ha-1 to 35.3 t ha-1 at the first and late harvests, respectively. DM yields from early harvest plants varied from 1.2 to 1.7 t ha-1; those from the second harvest (late harvest date) varied from 3.4 to 6.8 t ha-1. The highest CP content for both (early and late harvests) was identified in the Probor cultivar, at 226 and 187 g/kg, respectively. At early harvest, ADF values varied from 291.2 in Sonate to 392.3 g/kg in Borlu; at late harvest, ADF values varied from 417.2 in Sonate to 488.3 g/kg in Borlu. Harvest date and varieties did not influence alkaloid and mineral content.

Effect of variety and harvest date on nutritive value and ruminal degradability of ensiled maize ears

ABSTRACTThe nutritive value of whole crop forage maize is influenced by the proportion of ears and stover in the whole crop and by the nutrient composition and digestibility characteristics of the plant parts. An experiment investigating the impact of variety, harvest date and year on the nutritive value of ensiled maize ears was carried out in three consecutive years (2007, 2008 and 2010). Nine different maize varieties were harvested at three different maturity stages (50, 55 and 60% dry matter (DM) content in the ears). After harvest, ears and stover were ensiled separately and afterwards nutrient composition and ruminal nutrient degradability (organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and non-fibre carbohydrates (NFC)) were analysed. Variety had a significant influence on content of CP and effective ruminal degradability (ED) of OM at low passage rates, whereas ED of CP and NFC was not affected by variety. In contrast, harvest date and year significantly influenced nutrient composition and ruminal degradability of ensiled maize ears. The content of NFC increased and the content of fibre components as well as ED of OM, CP and NFC declined with processing maturity of the maize plants. At a passage rate of 5% h−1, ED of OM declined from 75.9% to 68.4%, ED of CP from 82.5% to 73.8% and ED of NFC from 88.0% to 82.3% between the early and late harvest date. The results of this study indicate that the nutrient composition and ruminal degradability of ensiled maize ears are affected mainly by maturity stage at harvest and by year, whereas variety has only little influence.

Effect of dynamic controlled atmosphere monitored by respiratory quotient and 1-methylcyclopropene on the metabolism and quality of 'Galaxy' apple harvested at three maturity stages.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the interaction between controlled atmosphere (CA), CA+1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and dynamic controlled atmosphere monitored by respiratory quotient (DCA-RQ) with three fruit maturity stages at harvest (early harvest date, optimal harvest date and late harvest date) on 'Galaxy' apple metabolism and quality after harvest and 9months storage plus 7days of shelf life at 20°C. Fruit stored under dynamic controlled atmosphere monitored by respiratory quotient 1.3 (DCA-RQ 1.3) showed lower ethylene production, respiration rate, mealiness and higher flesh firmness in comparison to CA stored fruit, but did not differ from those treated with 1-MCP. The dynamic controlled atmosphere monitored by respiratory quotient 1.5 (DCA-RQ 1.5) increased the acetaldehyde, ethanol and ethyl acetate concentration, regardless of the fruit maturity at harvest. The storage of 'Galaxy' apple under DCA-RQ 1.3 is efficient in keeping quality regardless of the maturity stage at harvest.

Quantitative determination of phenolic compounds using LC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS in cv. Ayvalik olive oils as affected by harvest time

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of early (EHVOO) and late harvest (LHVOO) dates on phenolic composition of virgin olive oils (VOO) from the Ayvalik (Edremit) variety. Liquid chromatography combined with a diode array detector and ion spray mass spectrometry in the tandem mode (LC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS) with negative ion detections was used for identification of phenolic compounds in the VOOs. A total of 14 phenolic compounds were identified and quantified in VOOs, including phenolic alcohols (2), phenolic acids (4), secoiridoids (5), and flavonoids (3). Secoiridoids followed by phenolic alcohols and flavonoids were the most abundant compounds of the VOOs. Among secoiridoids 3.4-DHPEA-EDA and 3.4-DHPEA-EA were the most dominant compounds. The antioxidant capacity of VOOs was determined by two different methods, including DPPH and ABTS. The antioxidant capacity of LHVOO was found to be higher than that of EHVOO. Additionally, significant linear correlation was confirmed between the phenolic content and antioxidant capacities of VOOs.

Effect of harvest date and 1-MCP (SmartFresh™) treatment on ‘Golden Delicious’ apple cold storage physiological disorders

It is recognized that 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) is able to influence fruit ripening, reduce superficial scald and improve post-storage quality in apples. However, 1-MCP may also increase disorders as bitter pit and diffuse skin browning. The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of 1-MCP (625nLL−1) and 3 different maturity stages (early, middle and late harvest date) on the incidence and development of physiological disorders and ripening delay during storage at 0.5°C and subsequent shelf-life at room temperature≈22°C, in ‘Golden Delicious’ apples. Fruit were collected in 6 orchards at a weekly interval, and half were treated with 1-MCP after 3 d cold storage, and the other half left as control. Quality parameters were evaluated at harvest, after 1-MCP treatment and after 6 months storage as well as after 7 d shelf-life. 1-MCP treatment of ‘Golden Delicious’ was effective for slowing softening, reduce electrolyte leakage and color changes associated with ripening (lightness and hue parameters), did not affect soluble solids content and had no clear effect on fruit phenols and antioxidant activity. 1-MCP inhibited superficial scald and significantly reduced rot; however, this treatment enhanced the development of bitter pit in some orchards. Harvest date did not influence scald, bitter pit and firmness but decreased weight loss, total phenols, soluble solid content and antioxidant activity from 2nd to 3rd harvest. The application of 1-MCP, 3 d after cold storage, to ‘Golden Delicious’ apples, reduced ripening and superficial scald, did not induce diffuse skin browning, but increased bitter pit incidence.