Vol. 69 No: 2

Title:
Influence of Time of Flower and Fruit Thinning on the Firmness of ‘Cox's Orange Pippin’ Apples at Harvest and after Storage

Author:
D.S. JOHNSON

pp: 197-204

Abstract:
‘Cox’ apple trees were hand thinned to one flower or fruit per cluster at 5 d intervals from 5 to 40 d after full bloom (FB). The greatest increase in harvest fruit firmness was achieved by thinning during the period from 5 to 15 d after FB with no increase when thinned at 25 d after FB. Further delay of thinning again led to some increased firmness. Increased harvest firmness was generally associated with the extent of the reduction in fruit number and yield and the commensurate increase in fruit dry-matter concentration. Harvest firmness increases as a result of thinning were sustained during storage in 2% O₂ (<1% CO₂) but not in air or 1.25% O₂ (<1% CO₂). In the latter condition the enhanced softening of thinned fruit was associated with the development of a fermentation odour and increased susceptibility to core flush and senescent breakdown which may, at least in part, have been related to their higher K and lower Ca status.

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