Comparative fruit quality parameters of several Japanese plum varieties in two newly established orchards, organic and conventionally managed

Abstract

The fruit quality parameters of several Japanese plum cultivars (Prunus salicina Lindl) were studied in two experimental orchards under organic and conventional management. The study was performed during 2008-2010 in the province of Seville (SW Spain). Colour, weight, size, firmness, soluble solid concentration and acidity were measured for fruit quality evaluation. Yield was also determined. In general, the organic fruit was of smaller size and weight. There was little difference in the colour of most of the varieties, but some varieties such as 'Friar' and 'Black Amber' were more colourful in the organic orchard. The soluble solid concentration and acidity were similar in the fruit from both orchards. The organic plums showed firmness equal to or slightly greater than conventional ones. Dry matter and nitrites were analysed in 2010, and no significant differences were observed in most of the varieties. The accumulated fruit yield was significantly superior in the conventionally managed orchard.

Effects of post-harvest deficit irrigation in ‘Red Beaut’ Japanese plum: Tree water status, vegetative growth, fruit yield, quality and economic return

“…Though our SSC and firmness values concurred with those reported by Daza et al (2012) in 'Red Beaut' in an experiment with several plum cultivars, the TA values did not. Daza et al (2012) determined TA on homogenized samples of whole fruit using Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC International (AOAC), while our automatic laboratory determined TA over a fixed quantity of each fruit's juice.…”

“…Though our SSC and firmness values concurred with those reported by Daza et al (2012) in 'Red Beaut' in an experiment with several plum cultivars, the TA values did not. Daza et al (2012) determined TA on homogenized samples of whole fruit using Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC International (AOAC), while our automatic laboratory determined TA over a fixed quantity of each fruit's juice. To compare our laboratory results with those obtained by Daza et al (2012), we performed the TA determination in 2013 following the AOAC method and the results gave an average value for the Control and RDI-30 treatments of 14.5 and 13.9 g malic acid l −1 , respectively, which were similar to those reported by Daza et al (2012) for the well-watered treatment.…”

“…Daza et al (2012) determined TA on homogenized samples of whole fruit using Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC International (AOAC), while our automatic laboratory determined TA over a fixed quantity of each fruit's juice. To compare our laboratory results with those obtained by Daza et al (2012), we performed the TA determination in 2013 following the AOAC method and the results gave an average value for the Control and RDI-30 treatments of 14.5 and 13.9 g malic acid l −1 , respectively, which were similar to those reported by Daza et al (2012) for the well-watered treatment. Deficit irrigation did not induce any significant changes in fruit quality parameters except that fruit had lower firmness (Table 5).…”

Comparative tree growth, phenology and fruit yield of several Japanese plum cultivars in two newly established orchards, organic and conventionally managed

“…Moreover, technical difficulties prevented to determine adequately the yield of the late variety 'Angeleno'. Fruit quality parameters were reported recently (Daza et al, 2012).…”

Growth, phenology and fruit set of Prunus armeniaca L. (cv. Ninfa) grafted on two rootstocks in organic and conventional management

“…Real Fino, which also results in higher yields. Higher tree vigour and yields were found in conventionally managed systems compared to the organic ones; it is almost a constant, not only for fruit orchards, but also for most vegetables and cereals crops (De Ponti et al 2011;Daza et al 2012). Fruit production was higher in 2012, probably due to the high humidity and rainy weather registered along the flowering period in 2013 that made difficult fruit setting.…”