Effect of calcium spray materials, rate, time of spray application, and rootstocks on fruit quality of ‘red’ and ‘golden delicious’ apples
- 1 October 2000
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd in Journal of Plant Nutrition
- Vol. 23 (10), 1435-1447
- https://doi.org/10.1080/01904160009382113
Abstract
Calcium (Ca) spray materials improved fruit quality as measured by control of bitter pit, fruit finish (appearance), increased red skin color, reduced incidence of scald, increased juiciness, texture, and fruit firmness of ‘Red’ and ‘Golden Delicious’ apples (Malus domestica, Borkh.). Concentrations of Ca in leaf and fruit tissues were increased by Ca sprays, especially calcium chloride (CaCl2)‐containing spray materials. Improved fruit firmness and control of bitter pit occurred for either standard recommended or high rates of Ca spray materials. At high rates of application, the only significant difference that occurred between early and late applications of Ca spray materials was that less leaf injury occurred with the early applications. Unsprayed ‘Red Delicious’ fruit from M.7 rootstocks had greater fruit peel Ca concentrations and a lower incidence of bitter pit but smaller fruit than fruit from trees on M.26 rootstocks. The above information is strong evidence that Ca sprays are important for the improvement of apple quality.Keywords
This publication has 11 references indexed in Scilit:
- Response of apple and pear trees to nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizersJournal of Plant Nutrition, 1998
- Nitrogen fertilization and elemental composition affects fruit quality of ‘Fuji’ applesJournal of Plant Nutrition, 1997
- Interstem and Its Relationship to ‘Fuji’ Apple QualityJournal of Tree Fruit Production, 1997
- Calcium nutrition affects cold hardiness, yield, and fruit disorders of apple and pear trees1Journal of Plant Nutrition, 1996
- Influence of different calcium materials and spray timing on mineral composition, yield, fruit quality, and control of fruit disorders of ‘anjou’ pearsJournal of Plant Nutrition, 1995
- Effect of fertilizers on soil pH and performance of apple and pear trees. II. Grown in different soils in the orchardCommunications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 1994
- Effects of preharvest calcium sprays on apple and pear qualityJournal of Plant Nutrition, 1993
- Potassium and PhosphorusJournal of Plant Nutrition, 1987
- The relationship between different spray combinations of certain fungicides with calcium nitrate and the incidence of bitter pit and fungal diseases of appleJournal of Horticultural Science, 1971
- Corking disorders of apples: A physiological and biochemical reviewThe Botanical Review, 1968