Improving the performance of calcium-containing spray formulations to limit the incidence of bitter pit in apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.)

Abstract

Laboratory and field experiments were carried out with apples (Malus x domestica Bork) cv. 'Golden Reinders', to assess the efficacy of sodium salt of carboxymethyl ether of cellulose (0.5%, CMC) as an adjuvant for Ca spray formulations containing either Cachloride or Ca-propionate as active ingredient (120 or 250 mM Ca). This additive significantly increased the retention of Ca-containing solutions by the apple skin and prolonged the process of drying of the solution at room temperature. Four days after immersion of apples in 0.5% CMC plus CaCl 2 or Ca-propionate solutions (120 and 250 mM Ca) significant Ca increases were recorded in the peel and cortex of treated fruits. Application to apple trees of in-season sprays containing 250 mM CaCl 2 plus 0.05% Tween 20, Ca-propionate (120 and 250 mM Ca) plus 0.5% CMC or 250 mM CaCl 2 plus 0.5% CMC had no impact on fruit yield and quality, but significantly limited the rate of bitter pit incidence during the following 3-month cold-storage period. Evidence is provided that addition of appropriate adjuvants to Ca sprays can favour the distribution of Ca into the apple fruit and help to reduce the incidence of Ca-related disorders over the postharvest cold-storage period.

Control efficacy of Ca‐containing foliar fertilizers on bitter pit in bagged ‘Fuji’ apple and effects on the Ca and N contents of apple fruits and leaves

“…The results in our study indicated that the tested Ca fertilizers containing CaCl 2 , Ca(NO 3 ) 2 and especially Ca(HCOO) 2 could potentially help to reduce BP incidence in bagged apples and improve the mineral nutrient content in bagged apple fruits. Our results also confirmed the positive effects of Ca‐containing foliar fertilizers on reducing the BP incidence as well as improving the mineral nutrient contents in bagged apple fruits, as described previously …”

“…Blanco et al . assessed the efficacy of Ca spray formulations containing either calcium chloride (CaCl 2 ) or calcium propionate as active ingredients (120 or 250 mmol L −1 Ca) on BP in apple, and found that the addition of appropriate adjuvants to Ca sprays could improve the allocation of Ca to the apple fruits and help reduce the incidence of Ca‐related disorders during the postharvest storage period . Wilsdorf et al .…”

Prevention of New Cork Spot-like Physiological Disorder in ‘Kurenainoyume’ Apples by Pre-harvest Fruit Bagging

“…Bitter pit, cork spot, and corky core are the major CSPDs affecting the apple fruit skin surface (Blanco et al, 2010;Faust and Shear, 1968). Generally, these CSPD symptoms are induced by Ca or B deficiency, and the exogenous application of supplemental sprays containing these mineral nutrients improves the symptoms (Faust and Shear, 1968;Vang-Petersen, 1980).…”

“…Bitter pit is the most widespread corking disorder, and it develops before harvest and continues until storage ends (Faust and Shear, 1968). It is well known that the development of bitter pit is due to a calcium (Ca) deficiency (Yamane, 2014) and, therefore, Ca spraying effectively reduces its development (Biggs and Peck, 2015;Blanco et al, 2010;Fallahi and Eichert, 2013). Cork spot, which presents symptoms similar to those of bitter pit, is also induced by Ca deficiency and, thus, Ca spraying is a useful alleviating measure (Faust and Shear, 1968).…”

Foliar Calcium Applications for Controlling Fruit Disorders and Storage Life in Deciduous Fruit Trees

“…Adding rapeseed oil as a surfactant to CaCl 2 or calcium acetate (Ca(CH 3 COO) 2 ) enhanced droplet spreading, which meant a greater area covered by Ca within the droplet residues, and increased penetration through isolated cuticular membranes of apple leaves 17 . Adding sodium salt of carboxymethyl ether of cellulose (0.5%, CMC, used as a food additive) as an adjuvant for Ca spray, meanwhile, increased the retention of Ca-containing solutions by the apple skin and prolonged the drying process of the solution at room temperature 4 . In Spain, JARQ 48 (1) 2014 T. Yamane peach fruit are bagged to avoid damage caused by the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata Wied.…”