Orange Pippin Apples Research Articles

INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE OF DIFFUSE BROWNING DISORDER IN CA-STORED COX'S ORANGE PIPPIN APPLES

Diffuse browning disorder (DBD) a previously un-described storage condition of Cox's Orange Pippin apples was observed in the early 1990's and has become a significant commercial problem in the UK. In 2002 the disorder was first seen after only 2 months of controlled atmosphere (CA) storage and reached a maximum incidence by February. Transfer of fruit from CA to air storage promoted further development but temperature after transfer had little effect. DBD was aggravated by lower than recommended storage temperatures and appeared earlier in traditional CA (2 kPa O 2 <1 kPa CO 2 ) than in ULO CA (1.2 kPa <1 kPa CO 2 ) although final levels were similar. Susceptibility to DBD was related to orchard site and could not be ameliorated by modification of storage conditions. DBD occurred in fruit picked at an optimum stage of maturity for storage and with a favourable mineral composition. Mineral composition in individual affected and unaffected fruits was similar. Although there was circumstantial evidence that DBD was worse in dull summers a link between light intensity and DBD susceptibility was not established in shading trials and there was no marked effect of providing additional light into the trees by the use of reflective mulch. With-holding paclobutrazol prevented DBD development in fruit from a previously established high-risk orchard harvested in 2003 and 2004 and reduced DBD incidence in another high-risk orchard in 2004. Attempts to reduce DBD through the application of gibberellic acid (GA) sprays late in the season were unsuccessful. Post-harvest application of GA and 1-MCP tended to reduce DBD. Further work is required to identify orchard factors that induce susceptibility of apples to DBD.

GROWTH AND FRUITING CHARACTERISTICS OF EIGHT APPLE GENOTYPES ASSESSED AS UNPRUNED TREES ON 'M.9' ROOTSTOCK AND AS OWN-ROOTED TREES IN SOUTHERN FRANCE

ISHS VIII International Symposium on Canopy, Rootstocks and Environmental Physiology in Orchard Systems GROWTH AND FRUITING CHARACTERISTICS OF EIGHT APPLE GENOTYPES ASSESSED AS UNPRUNED TREES ON 'M.9' ROOTSTOCK AND AS OWN-ROOTED TREES IN SOUTHERN FRANCE

Harvest date and fruit size affect postharvest softening of apple fruit

SummaryThe influence of harvest date and fruit size on the three phases of softening for Royal Gala and Cox’s Orange Pippin apple cultivars is currently not known. During storage at 0.5 or 3°C, late-harvested fruit had a shorter initial slow softening phase and required less time before the internal ethylene concentration exceeded 1.5 μl–1 than fruit harvested earlier. Rate of rapid phase softening was similar for fruit from each harvest date. Unlike harvest date, fruit size did not consistently affect the harvest indices of fruit from either cultivar. Once in storage at 0.5 or 3°C the softening profiles of different sized fruit from early harvests were similar. However, small fruit softened more slowly than medium and large fruit when harvested at a late stage of maturity. Results in this study indicate that softening of these apple cultivars is not linear in storage, and that both harvest date, and to a lesser extent fruit size, influenced the degree of non-linearity by influencing the duration of the initial slow softening phase. It is also suggested that the initial slow softening phase may be a continuation of the slow softening that occurs in fruit while still attached to the tree.

The application of polymeric film lining systems for modified atmosphere box packaging of English apples

Abstract Carbon dioxide and oxygen concentrations which delayed softening and loss of green colour at 15°C without adverse effects on the quality of Bramley's Seedling and Cox's Orange Pippin apples were defined using flow through systems. Modified atmospheres (MA) were then developed for their post-storage marketing in 40 lb (18 kg) cardboard cases lined with suitable polymeric films. Low density polyethylene (LDPE, 30 μm) liners, closed by envelope folding, provided effective, reproducible atmospheres of 7–10% CO 2 and 5–7% O 2 for Bramley apples during a simulated 4-week marketing period under ambient conditions. Since similar films applied to Cox resulted in over-modification of the atmosphere and fruit tainting, micro-perforated LDPE liners were used to provide increased gas permeability without sacrificing mechanical strength; envelope folding of the liner gave uniform atmospheres in replicate cases of fruit. Shelf-life benefits were comparable to those found earlier for the 1 kg retail pillow packs. These new types of box liner are now being introduced into the UK fruit market.

The Photosynthetic Activity of Cox's Orange Pippin Apple Flowers in Relation to Fruit Setting

The ability of green parts of Cox's apple flowers (sepals, receptacle and pedicel) to photosynthesise was demonstrated using 14CO, feed experiments and an infra-red gas analysis (IRGA) system. The sepals had the greatest ability, comparable with that of leaves, followed by the receptacle. Sepals and leaves fixed the same amount of CO2 in the dark. Photosynthesis and respiration rates in orchard flowers were measured in comparison to those of leaves. Flower gross photosynthesis (GP) was about a third of that of leaves at the balloon stage and 15 d after full bloom in 1987, but this ratio was much less at full bloom (FB) in the same year. GP in flowers decreased rapidly with fruitlet enlargement.It was estimated that flower photosynthesis significantly contributed to their carbohydrate balance (15-33%) during the flowering and fruit setting periods.The highest contributions were made at the green cluster stage (33%) and between 6 and 11 d after FB (27%), the period when the fruit set had been initiated. Removal of sepals, the main photosynthetic parts of the flower, at the pink bud stage decreased initial set. The results suggest that flower photosynthesis might play an important role in flower growth and fruit setting.

Stomatal and Chlorophyll Distribution of Cox's Orange Pippin Apple Flowers Relative to Other Cluster Parts

Surface area, chlorophyll concentration and stomatal size and density were measured for all green components of floral clusters on Cox's Orange Pippin apple trees to assess their relative potential for photosynthesis. Before flower opening, sepals and receptacles had chlorophyll concentrations similar to those found in the laminae of rosette leaves. But, whereas the concentration in rosette leaves continued to increased until fruit set, those in the sepals and receptacles decreased.Sepals had a greater mature stomatal density than leaf laminae shortly after bud burst; although both densities increased, that on the laminae later exceeded that on sepals.Flowers contributed significantly to the green surface are (40%), chlorophyll content (30%) and mature stomatal number (25%) of floral clusters at the green cluster stage, but these contributions then decreased. Cox apple flowers appear to have the potential for contributing significantly to their carbohydrate requirement at a time when the rosette leaves are not thought to be exporters of photosynthate.

Nutrient status of apple orchards in Canterbury, New Zealand. 2. Specific problems

Abstract In a survey of the nutrient status of Cox's Orange Pippin and Braeburn apple orchards in the Canterbury region of New Zealand three separate problems were identified in a number of orchards. These were low soil pH in the herbicide strip area, low concentrations of fruit Ca and low concentrations of leaf Zn. Seven out of 26 Cox's Orchard sites had a significantly lower soil pH (0–10 cm) in the herbicide strip than the grassed alley. At some sites soil acidification had occurred down to a depth of 30 cm. The major cause of such acidification was thought to be nitrification of ammonium originating from both fertilisers and mineralisation of soil organic matter. No one reason was responsible for low concentrations of Ca (< 2.5 mg/100 g) in cortical plugs of apple tissue. At one site it was related to a deficiency of soil Ca but at two other sites, levels of exchangeable Ca were relatively high. Levels of exchangeable Mg and/or K were however exceptionally high suggesting that a cation imbalance in th...

Influences of gibberellins A4, A4+7, and A4+iso—A7on apple fruit quality and tree productivity. I. Effects on fruit russet and tree yield components

Mature ‘Golden Delicious’ apple trees in British Columbia (B.C.) and Quebec, Canada and Cox’s Orange Pippin apple in Canterbury, New Zealand were sprayed weekly for four weeks, commencing at petal fall, with formulations of GA4, GA4+7 mixture (1:1) or GA4+iso—GA7 (a less active isomer). This study was predicated on previous work suggesting that GA4 is more effective than GA7 for fruit russet control and is less likely than GA7 to inhibit return flowering. It was hypothesized that conversion of GA7 in the GA4+7 mixture to iso—GA7 might ameliorate the expected negative effect of the GA treatment on return flowering. Surface russet was prevalent on Quebec ‘Golden Delicious’ and all GA treatments reduced its severity. Stem-end russet was reduced by GA4+iso—GA7 in the B.C. ‘Golden Delicious’ trial but none of the treatments influenced stem-end russet of New Zealand ‘Cox’s Orange Pippin’. All G As and GA mixtures reduced fruit set and seed number per fruit and increased average fruit weight in one or more exper...

Effects of long‐term herbicide use, irrigation and nitrogen fertiliser on soil fertility in an apple orchard

AbstractIn 1972 an experiment was set up to investigate the long‐term effects of herbicide, irrigation and two rates of nitrochalk fertiliser application on soil fertility in a Cox's Orange Pippin apple orchard. Samples taken in 1986 showed that uncultivated soil which had been maintained bare by herbicide had much lower organic C, total N and extractable K and Mg concentrations than soil which had been maintained under grass. Extractable P concentrations were lower in soil under grass than in soil under herbicide. In the absence of grass, soil pH was slightly lower than in its presence. All these effects were much greater at depths above 7·5 cm than below.Irrigation of the grass slightly increased organic C and total N levels at 0–7·5 cm compared with unirrigated grass but had no effect on extractable P, K and Mg.Increasing the fertiliser rate from 63 to 189 kg N ha−1 had no effect on organic C, total N, extractable P and K. Yet, throughout the soil profile, extractable Mg concentrations were greater at the low than at the high N fertiliser rate.In a seedling growth test on soil taken from the orchard in 1988 (and confirmed to be free from residual herbicide), apple seedlings grown in soil which had previously been under grass grew significantly better than those in soil which had been bare. These differences were ascribed to a greater rate of N mineralisation in the soil formerly under grass.The results of this trial indicate that to safeguard soil fertility it is necessary to maintain a grass cover in the orchard. In addition, fertiliser application on newly planted trees should be adjusted to take account of the presence or absence of grass in the previous soil management treatment.

Ovule and Embryo Sac Development in Malus pumila L. cv. Cox's Orange Pippin, from Dormancy to Blossom

Ovule and embryo sac development in the flowers of Cox's Orange Pippin apple (Malus pumila L.) were studied from dormancy to petal fall using both scanning electron and light microscopy. The relative timing was established between these developments and the external development of the flower bud and flower.

Effects of alley sward width, irrigation and nitrogen fertiliser on growth and yield of Cox's orange pippin apple trees

AbstractFrom 1972 to 1988 an experiment was conducted which investigated the effects of four soil management treatments in combination with two rates of fertiliser application, on the growth and components of yield of Cox's Orange Pippin/MM 106 trees.By four years after planting, trees receiving irrigation and those in uncultivated soil maintained completely bare by herbicide had substantially greater girths than trees growing in narrow and wide bare soil strips between grassed alleys. This effect persisted throughout the life of the orchard, although after 16 years the girths of trees receiving irrigation were much greater than those of trees growing in bare soil.Increasing fertiliser application rate from 63 to 189 kg N ha−1 had either negligible or inconsistent effects on tree growth, fruit yield and size.The cumulative yield of fruit over 12 cropping years was much greater for trees growing in bare soil and for those receiving irrigation than for those growing in the narrow bare‐soil strip system.The increase in tree girth and yield caused by irrigation and bare soil, particularly in dry years, together with the lack of response to the larger rate of fertiliser application, suggests than water was more of a limiting factor than nitrogen supply for this orchard. Irrigation offers an alternative method of management to herbicide for increasing tree growth and fruit yield.

Effects of overall herbicide management and nitrogen fertiliser on the mineral composition of apple and pear fruits grown on various soils

Abstract Cox's orange Pippin apple fruit samples obtained over five years from trials in five commercial orchards on different soil types where management systems were changed from herbicide strips in grassed alleys to overall herbicide were analysed for N, P, K, Mg, Ca and, in the early years, Na. At four of the sites an additional amount of N fertiliser was applied to half of the trees. When the treatments became established they usually lowered P concentrations and these effects of overall herbicide management and additional N were additive. The years in which the maximum effects occurred and the magnitude of the effects varied with site. Calcium concentrations were lowered at only two sites in some years mainly because overall herbicide management increased mean fruit mass. Treatment effects on other constituents varied but, at one site, overall herbicide and extra N fertiliser consistently increased N concentrations. Conference and Doyenne du Comice pear fruits from a sixth site differed in composition with Conference having higher N and P concentrations but less Ca for a given mean fruit mass. Overall herbicide treatment lowered P and Ca concentrations in the Conference pears.

The response of apples cv. Cox's Orange Pippin to different concentrations of oxygen in the storage atmosphere

SummaryThe response of apples cv. Cox's Orange Pippin to storage in flowing streams of air and nitrogen mixed to generate atmospheres ranging from 0.5% to 2% oxygen was examined in two seasons. The benefits of reducing store oxygen concentrations below 1.25% were small but storage in 0.75% may be advantageous for Cox's Orange Pippin apples in seasons when flesh firmness is low at harvest. Ethanol‐induced flesh breakdown was recorded in samples stored in 0.5% O2 in one season and the risk of low temperature breakdown was increased in oxygen levels below 1.25%. Ethylene production was reduced by lowering the oxygen concentration.

Effects of soil management systems and nitrogen fertiliser on the firmness and mean fruit weight of Cox's Orange Pippin apples at harvest

AbstractThe firmness and mean fruit weight, at harvest, of Cox's Orange Pippin apples from a soil management and N fertiliser trial planted in 1972 were measured from 1979 to 1985 (excluding 1984). Trees growing in overall herbicide, or in 0.3‐m herbicide‐treated strips with irrigated grassed alleyways, produced significantly softer and/or larger apples than those from trees growing in unirrigated grass with narrow (0.3 m) or wide (1.7 m) herbicide‐treated strips in 1982 and 1983. Both these years had drier than average summers. N fertiliser applied annually produced slightly larger and softer apples at 189 kg N ha−1 than at 63 kg N ha−1.

Changes in dry matter concentration gradients in stored apples

AbstractLongitudinal and transverse dry matter concentration gradients were measured in Cox's Orange Pippin apples at harvest and during storage. Dry matter concentration was higher at the calyx end of the fruit at harvest than in the central zone and at the stalk end. This difference was maintained as dry matter concentration in the whole fruit declined during cold storage. Dry matter concentration decreased from the peel to the core in median transverse slices at harvest but this gradient diminished during storage at 4°C in either air or 1·25%v/v O2. After 11 weeks' storage dry matter concentrations became generally lower in all zones of the air‐stored fruit than those in apples stored in 1·25% v/v O2, but transverse distribution patterns of dry matter were similar in apples in either regime throughout storage. Proportions of dry matter in the outer zones declined whilst those in the inner cortex and core increased. The relevance of these changes to the quality of stored apples is discussed.

LITERATURE ABSTRACTS

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Mineo Watase and Katsuyoshi NishinariGENERAL PRINCIPLES: Foaming Properties of Protein Solutions: Comparison of Large‐Scale Whipping and Conductimetric Methods. David J. Wright and John W. HemmantFACTORS AFFECTING TEXTURE: Responses of CA‐stored Bramley's Seedling and Cox's Orange Pippin Apples to Modified Atmosphere Retail Packaging. J. D. Geeson, S. M. Smith, Helen P. Everson, Pia M. Genge and K. M. BrowneFACTORS AFFECTING TEXTURE: Restructured Pork with Texture Variation. N. G. Marriott, S. K. Phelps, C. A. Costello and P. P. GrahamFACTORS AFFECTING TEXTURE: Texture Changes in White Bread: Effects of Processing and Storage. U. Stollman and B. LundgrenFACTORS AFFECTING TEXTURE: Chemical Composition and Rheological Behaviour of Strawberry Jams Relation with Fruit Content. E. Costell, E. Carbonell and L. DuranFACTORS AFFECTING TEXTURE: Influence of Sugar and Cyanide Concentrations and Paste Viscosities of Cassava Flour on Fried Cassava Chip Quality. A. M. AlmazanFACTORS AFFECTING TEXTURE: Influence of Hot and Cold Boning on the Palatability, Textural and Economic Traits of Restructured Beef Steaks. D. L. Seman, W. G. Moody, J. D. Fox and N. GayFACTORS AFFECTING TEXTURE: Influence of Soy Protein and NaCl on the Rheological Properties of Beef, Pork or Chicken Muscle Homogenates. M. A. Bianchi, A. M. R. Rilosof and G. B. BartholomaiFACTORS AFFECTING TEXTURE: Relationship of Water Content to Textural Characteristics, Water Activity and Thermal Conductivity of Some Commercial Sausages. G. R. Ziegler, S. S. H. Rizvi and J. C. ActonFACTORS AFFECTING TEXTURE: Texture of Cooked Mantle of Squid Ilex argentinus as Influenced by Specimen Characteristics and Treatments. I. Kolodziejska, Z. E. Sikorski and M. SadowskaFACTORS AFFECTING TEXTURE: Relationship Between Pectic Composition and the Softening of the Texture of Japanese Radish Roots During Cooking. M. 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ValjakkaFACTORS AFFECTING TEXTURE: Rheological Properties of Ultrafiltered Skim Milk. I. Effects of pH, Temperature and Heat Treatment. M. Hallstrom and P. Dejmek.FACTORS AFFECTING TEXTURE: Improvement of Quality of Whipping Cream by Adding Carrageenan and Milk Constituents. II. Influence of Additives on the Physical Properties of Whipped Cream. D. Precht, K.‐H. Peters, and J. PetersenFACTORS AFFECTING TEXTURE: The Effects of Salt Concentration and pH Upon Water‐Binding, Water‐Holding and Protein Extractability of Turkey Meat. R. I. Richardson and J. M. JonesSENSORY EVALUATIONS: Sensory Profiling and Multidimensional Scaling of Selected Finnish Raye Breads. U. Hellemann, H. Tuorila, H. Salovaara and L. TarkkonenSENSORY EVALUATIONS: Texture and Sensory Evaluation of Frankfurters Made with Different Formulations and Processes. C. M. Lee, R. C. Whiting and R. K. JenkinsINSTRUMENTATION AND METHODOLOGY: Adaptation of the Instron to Determine the Surface Tension of Ice Cream Mix. S. A. 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Redistribution of minerals in apple fruit during storage: Effects of storage atmosphere on magnesium and phosphorus concentrations

AbstractThe median transverse redistribution of magnesium and phosphorus in Cox's Orange Pippin apples stored at 2·8°C or 4°C was investigated. The more detailed investigation at 4°C showed that phosphorus accumulated in the core zone throughout storage in air, but that the inward movement of magnesium was delayed in the early weeks when magnesium concentration increased in the peel. Storage atmospheres of 2 or 1·25% oxygen (&lt;1% carbon dioxide) inhibited movement of both elements to the core zone and, for a few weeks following the establishment of a 1·25% oxygen atmosphere, magnesium was withdrawn from the core zone. An inward shift of magnesium from the peel to the inner cortex occurred several weeks prior to the development of visible low temperature breakdown symptoms in apples stored in 1·25% oxygen.Similarities between the effects of low oxygen and low temperature storage on the redistribution of magnesium and phosphorus and on the induction of low temperature breakdown are discussed.

Physical changes in stored apples

AbstractThe longitudinal distribution of mass and volume in Cox's Orange Pippin apples altered during storage in air or in a controlled atmosphere. The proportions of both mass and volume in the central zone increased significantly during the first week and subsequently declined, with corresponding changes at the calyx and stalk ends of the fruit. The density of the whole fruit declined continuously during storage. The volume of apples stored in high humidity increased. These effects are discussed in relation to changes found previously in calcium distribution within apples and in fruit firmness during storage.

Storage quality of Cox’s Orange Pippin apples in relation to fruit mineral composition during development

SummaryThe extent to which mineral composition of fruits sampled in mid-July, early and late-August, and at harvest was correlated with the firmness and susceptibility of apples to physiological storage disorders was determined in a three-year study. Bitter pit incidence in air-stored fruit correlated well with Ca concentration and the K/Ca ratio of fruits analysed in late August or at harvest but rarely in mid-July or early August. Although there were seasonal effects on the threshold concentrations of Ca and K/Ca at which no bitter pit was expected, a reasonably accurate prediction could be made in late August or at harvest, but not earlier in the growing season. Firmness of fruit stored in 1.25% O2 and to a lesser extent 2% O2 was related predominantly to fruit P concentration in late August and harvest samples. However, regression lines of fruit P against firmness differed in the three years of the study which precluded the establishment of a fruit P threshold for minimum acceptable firmness ex-store....

Effects of water deficit on vegetative growth, fruit growth and fruit quality in Cox’s Orange Pippin apple

SummaryDegrees of soil water deficit were imposed in order to water-stress 4-year-old Cox’s Orange Pippin apple trees at two phases of growth. Water deficit, imposed from 28 November 1985 until 3 January 1986 (Phase I), reduced shoot extension by 37% compared with the fully irrigated control trees. The level of soluble solids in fruit was raised by 0.8%, the proportion of cracked fruit was increased 2-3 fold, and the incidence of bitter pit was marginally reduced, but mean fruit size and titratable acidity were not altered, when compared with fruit from the control trees. When the water deficit was imposed from 4 January until harvest on 21 February 1986 (Phase II), shoot growth was reduced by only 7%. The level of soluble solids was raised by 1%, but the incidence of bitter pit and mean fruit size were not affected. Neither of the irrigation treatments significantly reduced crop density or crop yield.