Influence of reflective groundcover on physico-chemical properties of \u27\u27Wilton\u27s ®Red Jonaprince\u27 apples

Fizikalno-kemijska svojstva značajan su čimbenik u procjeni kvalitete i tržišne vrijednosti plodova jabuke. U intenzivnoj proizvodnji jabuke teži se primjeni novijih tehnologija u cilju poboljšanja kvalitete ploda. Cilj rada bio je utvrditi utjecaj reflektirajuće folije Lumilys™ na fizikalno - kemijska svojstva plodova jabuke sorte \u27Wilton\u27s ®Red Jonaprince\u27 nakon berbe i nakon 18 tjedana čuvanja u uvjetima normalne atmosfere. Reflektirajuća folija postavljena je u nasadu između redova istraživane sorte četiri do šest tjedana prije berbe, a kontrolu su činili redovi bez folije. Plodovi su ubrani u optimalnom roku berbe i potom su analizirani boja, masa i dimenzije plodova, tvrdoća, indeks razgradnje škroba, udio topljive suhe tvari i ukupnih kiselina. Analizom kromatskih vrijednosti prema CIE L*a*b sustavu boja utvrđeno je da su plodovi sa stabala gdje je unutar redova bila postavljena reflektirajuća folija imali veći intenzitet crvene boje, a manji intenzitet zelene boje. Reflektirajuća folija je pozitivno utjecala na tvrdoću, udio topljive suhe tvari i indeks razgradnje škroba. Plodovi koji su čuvani 18 tjedana u uvjetima normalne atmosfere pokazali su nešto veći kalo, manji udio topljive suhe tvari i veću tvrdoću. Reflektirajuća folija Lumilys™ pokazala je pozitivan utjecaj na fizikalno-kemijska svojstva plodova istraživane sorte što upućuje na njen potencijal u postizanju standarda kvalitete plodova jabuka.Physical and chemical characteristics are a significant factor in assessing the quality and market value of apple fruit. In intensive apple production, new technologies are b eing a pplied t o i mprove t he f ruit q uality. T he a im o f t his work was t o determine influence of the reflective groundcover Lumilys™ on physical and chemical characteristics of apple fruits cv. \u27Wilton\u27s ®Red Jonaprince\u27 after harvest and after 18 weeks of storage under normal atmospheric conditions. Reflective groundcover was placed in the plantation between the rows of the examined cultivars, four to six weeks before harvest, and the control was made of non - groundcover rows. The fruits were harvested in the optimal harvesting time and then the color, mass and size of fruits, firmness, starch degradation index, the soluble solids content and total acids were analyzed . By analysis of chromatic values it was found that the products of trees where reflective groundcover was placed within rows had a higher intensity of red color and lower intensity of green color by the CIE L*a*b color system. Reflective groundcover had a positive effect on the significantly higher firmness, the proportion of soluble solids content and the lowest starch degradation index. There was no significant difference in the part of total acids between the treatmants. The fruits that were stored for 18 weeks under normal atmosphere showed a slightly higher loss of fruit weight, lower proportion of soluble solids content and higher firmness. Reflective groundcover Lumilys™ showed a positive effect on physical and chemical characteristics of the fruits of the tested cultivars, which indicates its potential in achieving apple fruits quality standards

Sustainable Fruit Growing

Fruit production has faced many challenges in recent years as society seeks to increase fruit consumption while increasing safety and reducing the harmful effects of intensive farming practices (e.g., pesticides and fertilizers). In the last 50 years, the population has more than doubled and is expected to grow to 9 billion people by 2050. Per capita consumption of fruit is also increasing during this time and the global fruit industry is facing a major challenge to produce enough fruit in quantity and quality. The need for sustainable production of nutritious food is critical for human and environmental health.This book provides some answers to people who are increasingly concerned about the sustainability of fruit production and the fruit industry as a whole

Innovative Strategies for the Use of Reflective Foils for Fruit Colouration to Reduce Plastic Use in Orchards

(1) Background: Plastic in fruit orchards represents an environmental issue due to large CO2eq emissions associated with its production from fossil fuel and disposal (often incineration). (2) Materials and methods: Apple cv. “Braeburn Hillwell” trees on M9 rootstocks under a hail net were used at Campus Klein-Altendorf (CKA), Germany (50 °N) in 2018. In order to reduce the use of plastics to improve the red colouration of fruit particularly under hail nets, three alternatives to the current use of reflective mulch in each alleyway between the tree rows were explored, with uncovered grass alleyways as control. About 2800 colour measurements were done in the four weeks prior to harvest on 720 attached fruit below and above 1 m height in the field, and ca. 6900 additional colour measurements were conducted at harvest. (3) Results: The underlying regulatory mechanisms contrasted between the diffusive reflection of the white woven ground cover (such as LumilysTM or ExtendayTM) in the alleyways and aluminium foil under the trees with regular (straight) light reflection. Good fruit colouring and a plastic reduction were achieved (a) through spreading the white woven ground cover in every other row, and (b) through substituting the white ground cover with aluminium foil (80% recycled). Both methods can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (75–110 kg CO2eq/ha for the first option a). (4) Conclusion: Plastic use in fruit orchards can be reduced by multiple use of the material in the same or several years, spreading it in every other row or substituting it by another reflective material, a relevant step towards an environment-friendly sustainable horticulture