Articles
Relationships between quality and nutrient content in sweet cherry fruit
Article number
1432_28
Pages
199 – 206
Language
English
Abstract
Irrespective of growing region, firmness and size are among the most important fruit quality parameters for sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.). There has been interest in better understanding the role that fruit nutrient content plays in these key quality attributes so that growers may manage nutrient applications to optimize quality.
In previous work however, fruit quality data were generated from analyses of composite subsamples from within the population of fruit.
In this research, we evaluated the relationship between the major fruit quality parameters and fruit nutrient concentration on an individual fruit basis.
In total, 200 fruit from two commercial ‘Chelan’ sweet cherry orchards in Washington, USA were analyzed individually for quality attributes (e.g., diameter, exocarp color, weight, firmness, and soluble solids content). Following these analyses, each fruit was evaluated for mesocarp nutrient content.
There was significant variability in every quality trait among individual fruit, with greater than a 2-fold range for most attributes.
Fruit weight varied between 6.8 and 14.3 g, and fruit firmness varied between 201 and 497 g mm‑1. Fruit quality and nutrient concentration were significantly different between the two orchards.
There were no strong correlations between firmness and fruit nutrient concentration or content.
Fruit size was strongly correlated with potassium (K) (r=0.70) and phosphorous (P) (r=0.63) content, but there was no correlation with nutrient concentration.
Soluble solids content was strongly correlated with fruit dry matter (r=0.93), and nutrient concentration (r>0.60). This work demonstrate the lack of or weak relation between fruit quality attributes and nutrient concentration.
The method utilized to express fruit nutrient levels (e.g., fresh or dry concentration, content, ratios, etc) can lead to contradicting outcomes, and erroneous interpretation.
In previous work however, fruit quality data were generated from analyses of composite subsamples from within the population of fruit.
In this research, we evaluated the relationship between the major fruit quality parameters and fruit nutrient concentration on an individual fruit basis.
In total, 200 fruit from two commercial ‘Chelan’ sweet cherry orchards in Washington, USA were analyzed individually for quality attributes (e.g., diameter, exocarp color, weight, firmness, and soluble solids content). Following these analyses, each fruit was evaluated for mesocarp nutrient content.
There was significant variability in every quality trait among individual fruit, with greater than a 2-fold range for most attributes.
Fruit weight varied between 6.8 and 14.3 g, and fruit firmness varied between 201 and 497 g mm‑1. Fruit quality and nutrient concentration were significantly different between the two orchards.
There were no strong correlations between firmness and fruit nutrient concentration or content.
Fruit size was strongly correlated with potassium (K) (r=0.70) and phosphorous (P) (r=0.63) content, but there was no correlation with nutrient concentration.
Soluble solids content was strongly correlated with fruit dry matter (r=0.93), and nutrient concentration (r>0.60). This work demonstrate the lack of or weak relation between fruit quality attributes and nutrient concentration.
The method utilized to express fruit nutrient levels (e.g., fresh or dry concentration, content, ratios, etc) can lead to contradicting outcomes, and erroneous interpretation.
Authors
B. Sallato, M.D. Whiting
Keywords
fruit weight, potassium, calcium, nitrogen, firmness, dry matter
Online Articles (32)