Vol. 75 No: 4

Title:
Stem-end splitting and internal ring-cracking of 'Gala' apples as influenced by orchard management practices

Authors:
L.U. OPARA, A.J. HODSON and C.J STUDMAN

pp: 465-469

Abstract:
The influences of irrigation (frequent versus none), crop density (high versus low), and nitrogen (urea fertilizer versus none) on the incidence of stem-end splitting (SES) and internal ring-cracking (IRC) in 'Gala' apples were studied. Of the three orchard management factors considered, only irrigation significantly affected the incidence of stem-end splitting and internal ring-cracking; while the increase in fruit splitting due to low crop density was marginal. Frequently irrigated trees produced over twice as many split and ring-cracked fruit, respectively, compared with non-irrigated trees. The incidence of both SES and IRC increased with advancing fruit maturity, and percentage splitting in the experimental orchard varied considerably from 0.7% to over 28% for single tree replicates. None of the orchard treatments affected fruit nitrogen and other major nutrients (Ca, P, K and Mg), but fruit with SES or IRC had significantly higher concentrations of Ca, P and K than good fruit. The increase in the concentration of these minerals in split or ring-cracked fruit may be a secondary response which probably occurred after cortical cells began to break down as a result of stem-end splitting or internal ring-cracking.

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