Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2013, 40(3):93-101 | DOI: 10.17221/143/2012-HORTSCI

Grouping of 24 apple cultivars on the basis of starch degradation rate and their fruit patternOriginal Paper

L. Szalay1, M. Ordidge2, G. Ficzek1, P. Hadley2, M. Tóth1, N.H. Battey2
1 Department of Pomology, Faculty of Horticultural Science, Corvinus University of Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
2 School of Biology, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom

The ripening processes of 24 apple cultivars were examined in the United Kingdom NationalFruit Collection in 2010. Basically the starch content, and additionally ground colour, water-soluble solids content and flesh firmness were studied during ripening. The degradation of the starch content was evaluated using a 0-10 scale. A starch degradation value of 50% was taken to be the optimum harvest date, with harvest beginning at a value of 40% and finishing at 60%. Depending on the cultivar, this represented a harvest window of 9 to 21 days. Later ripening cultivars matured more slowly, leading to a longer harvesting period, with the exception of cv. Feuillemorte. Pronounced differences were observed among the cultivars on the basis of the starch degradation pattern, allowing them to be divided into four groups. Separate charts were elaborated for each group that are recommended for use in practice.

Keywords: Malus × domestica; optimum harvest date; harvest window; starch content

Published: September 30, 2013  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Szalay L, Ordidge M, Ficzek G, Hadley P, Tóth M, Battey NH. Grouping of 24 apple cultivars on the basis of starch degradation rate and their fruit pattern. Hort. Sci. (Prague). 2013;40(3):93-101. doi: 10.17221/143/2012-HORTSCI.
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Blanpied G.D., Silsby K.J., 1992. Predicting harvest date window for apple. Information Bulletin 221. Ithaca, Cornell Cooperative Extension Publication: 12.
    2. Bubán T., 2001. A szedési érettség megállapítása. [Determination of optimum harvest date.] In: Inántsy F. (ed.), Almatermesztés integrált módszerekkel. [Integrated Apple Production.] Ujfeherto, Almatermesztők Szövetsége: 175-195.
    3. De Long J.M., Prange R.K., Harrison P.A., Shofield R.A., De Ell J.R., 1999. Using the Streif index as a final harvest window for controlled atmosphere storage of apples. HortScience, 34: 1251-1257. Go to original source...
    4. Fan X., Mattheis J., Patterson M., Fellman J., 1995. Changes in amylose and total starch content in 'Fuji' apples during maturation. HortScience, 30: 104-105. Go to original source...
    5. Hámoriné Sz.J., 1974. A gyümölcs fejlődése és erase. [Fruit development, maturity and ripening.] In: Gyuró F. (ed.), A gyümölcstermesztés alapjai. [Fundamentals of Fruit Growing.] Budapest, Mezőgazdasági Kiadó: 369-396.
    6. Hámoriné Sz.J., Váradiné B.C., 1990. A gyümölcs növekedése, érése, utóérése. [Fruit development, maturity, ripening and after ripening.] In: Gyuró F. (ed.), Gyümölcstermesztés. [Fruit Growing.], Budapest, Mezogazdasagi Kiado: 217-242.
    7. Harker F.R., Redgwell R.J., Hallett I.C., Murray H.H., Carter G., 1997. Texture of fresh fruit. Horticultural Reviews, 20: 121-224. Go to original source...
    8. Jackson J.E., 2003. Biology of Apples and Pears. Cambridge University Press: 488. Go to original source...
    9. Kállay T., 2010. Az almatárolás biológiai alapjai. [Biological Principles of Apple Storage.] Budapest, Mezőgazda Kiadó: 207.
    10. Knee M., Hatfield S.G.S., Smith S.M., 1989. Evaluation of various indicators of maturity for harvest of apple fruit intended for long term storage. Journal of Horticultural Science & Biotechnology, 64: 413-419. Go to original source...
    11. Lau O.L., 1985. Harvest indices for BC apples. British Columbia Orchardist, 7: 1A-20A.
    12. Peirs A., Scheerlink N., Berna-Perez A., Jancsok P., Nicolai B.M., 2002. Uncertainty analysis and modelling of the starch index during apple fruit maturation. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 26: 199-207. Go to original source...
    13. Reid M.S., Padfield C.A.S., Watkins C.B., Harman J.E., 1982. Starch iodine pattern as a maturity index for Granny Smith apples. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 25: 229-237. Go to original source...
    14. Smith R.B., Lougheed E.C., Franklin E.W., McMillan I., 1979. The starch iodine test for determining stage of maturation in apples. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 59: 725-735. Go to original source...
    15. Streif J., 2010. Ripening management and postharvest fruit quality. Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 858: 121-129. Go to original source...
    16. Tomala K., C. Piestrzeniewicz., 1998. Prediction of optimum harvest date of apples. Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 466: 167. Go to original source...
    17. Tóth M., 2003. A szüret időpontjának meghatározása. [Determination of optimum harvest date.] In: Papp J. (ed.), Gyümölcstermesztési alapismeretek. [Principles of Fruit Growing.] Budapest, Mezőgazda Kiadó: 393-395.
    18. Watkins C.B., 2003. Principles and practices of postharvest handling and stress. In: Ferree D.C., Warrington I.J., Apples: Botany, Production and Uses. WallingfordCambridge, CAB Publishing: 585-614. Go to original source...

    This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY NC 4.0), which permits non-comercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.


    Return to the content