Articles
Effect of intensity of pruning on fruit quality and sensory analysis on ‘French’ plum (Prunus domestica L.) for fresh market
Article number
1450_3
Pages
17 – 24
Language
English
Abstract
In Chile, the ‘French’ plum (Prunus domestica L.) production for the fresh market has increased considerably.
The principal reason has been the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) demand, mainly due to the high soluble solids content (SSC) as an organoleptic characteristic.
During the 2021-2022 season, a trial on the ‘French’ plum cultivar in a commercial orchard in Palmilla, O’Higgins region was conducted.
The aim was to determine the effect of two pruning intensity (traditional orchard pruning (T0) and high-intensity pruning (T1) on yield efficiency and fruit quality through consumer sensory analysis by the “check all that apply” (CATA) surveys.
In this sense, T1 eliminated 25.9% of the canopy structures over T0. At harvest, productive and yield efficiency parameters were determined, such as crop load, trunk-cross sectional area (TCSA), and fruit size.
Non-destructive and destructive measurements were analysed for fruit quality parameters.
Statistical differences were presented for crop load, yield, and fruit size.
T1 showed an increase of 13% for fresh weight.
The fruit size distribution showed differences between the pruning treatments.
T0 obtained the highest percentage (54%) in the XL category (30-33 mm in diameter) and the lowest (4%) in the 2J category (36-39 mm), whereas T1 resulted in 15 and 34%, respectively.
Statistical differences were observed in soluble solids content (SSC) and flesh firmness (FF), with T1 exhibiting higher values of 19% and 592 g mm‑1 compared to T0 (15% and 495 g mm‑1, respectively). The CATA survey included terms for appearance, flavor, and texture.
Concerning appearance, fruit subjected to T0 commonly received CATA ratings of “small size”. Furthermore, flavor and texture characteristics showed improvement with T1 treatment, resulting in a profile described as “tasty” and “very sweet”. The overall evaluation of the samples was higher than the T1 treatment.
T1 reduces the number of fruits on the tree, enhancing their size, firmness, and SSC. Consumer sensory analysis through CATA surveys enables a more comprehensive exploration of the specific characteristics of the fruit that contribute to overall liking and, in this study, demonstrates that T1 enhances fruit quality compared to traditional pruning methods.
The principal reason has been the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) demand, mainly due to the high soluble solids content (SSC) as an organoleptic characteristic.
During the 2021-2022 season, a trial on the ‘French’ plum cultivar in a commercial orchard in Palmilla, O’Higgins region was conducted.
The aim was to determine the effect of two pruning intensity (traditional orchard pruning (T0) and high-intensity pruning (T1) on yield efficiency and fruit quality through consumer sensory analysis by the “check all that apply” (CATA) surveys.
In this sense, T1 eliminated 25.9% of the canopy structures over T0. At harvest, productive and yield efficiency parameters were determined, such as crop load, trunk-cross sectional area (TCSA), and fruit size.
Non-destructive and destructive measurements were analysed for fruit quality parameters.
Statistical differences were presented for crop load, yield, and fruit size.
T1 showed an increase of 13% for fresh weight.
The fruit size distribution showed differences between the pruning treatments.
T0 obtained the highest percentage (54%) in the XL category (30-33 mm in diameter) and the lowest (4%) in the 2J category (36-39 mm), whereas T1 resulted in 15 and 34%, respectively.
Statistical differences were observed in soluble solids content (SSC) and flesh firmness (FF), with T1 exhibiting higher values of 19% and 592 g mm‑1 compared to T0 (15% and 495 g mm‑1, respectively). The CATA survey included terms for appearance, flavor, and texture.
Concerning appearance, fruit subjected to T0 commonly received CATA ratings of “small size”. Furthermore, flavor and texture characteristics showed improvement with T1 treatment, resulting in a profile described as “tasty” and “very sweet”. The overall evaluation of the samples was higher than the T1 treatment.
T1 reduces the number of fruits on the tree, enhancing their size, firmness, and SSC. Consumer sensory analysis through CATA surveys enables a more comprehensive exploration of the specific characteristics of the fruit that contribute to overall liking and, in this study, demonstrates that T1 enhances fruit quality compared to traditional pruning methods.
Publication
Authors
L. Contador, K. Mesa, C. Cubillos, A. Albornoz
Keywords
CATA, crop load, PAR, sensory analysis, yield
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