Consumer acceptance of disease tolerant apple cultivars

Abstract

The current study was designed to compare the consumer acceptance of the three Rvi6 scab-resistant apple cultivars ‘Rustica’, ‘Ariane’ and ‘Ladina’ with the two standard disease-susceptible cultivars ‘Braeburn’ and ‘Mariella’. A consumer test with 189 participants, using written questionnaires, was carried out alongside a sensory descriptive analysis with a trained panel. For appearance acceptance ‘Ariane’ reached the highest score. Three distinct groups of consumers with different visual preferences were found using hierarchical cluster analysis. In terms of eating quality ‘Mariella’ was liked the most. Yet again, three groups were found, with specific preferences regarding textural and taste properties. Participants also responded to questions concerning apple consumption and demographics. Significant effects of these parameters on cultivar likings were found. The study showed that there are scab resistant apples which are well accepted and therefore could be equal or superior alternatives to disease susceptible cultivars from a consumer’s point of view.

Open‐ended question method investigation: A study with mashed potatoes

“…Mealiness is an important attribute for certain crops, including potatoes, and has been a topic of interest for years. Mealy apples were found less liked by consumers in multiple countries (Bowen, Blake, Tureček, & Amyotte, 2019; Inderbitzin, Schuetz, Klein, & Kellerhals, 2019). Indeed, mealiness in apples was considered a negative quality attribute associated with a fluffy appearance, stale flavor, floury, and granular texture.…”