Instrumental and sensory evaluation of seven apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) cultivars under organic cultivation in Sicily

ArticleIn this trial we examined the quality of 7 clones belonging to more diffused apple polyclonal varietal groups, using chemical/physical and sensory analyses during two consecutive years. Galaxy, and their ameliorative clones Gala Annaglò® and Dalitoga (Gala clones) that ripen in summer, Erovan* Early Red One® and Scarlet Spur*-Evasni® (Red Delicious clone), Corail Pinova and its ameliorative clone RoHo 3615 * Evelina® that ripen in autumn were studied. Gala Annaglò® is interesting for the fruit size and peel color, Dalitoga for the early ripening and Galaxy for the crunchiness and consistency. All the Gala clones reached very high total solid soluble content confirmed by the panel judgment of the sweetness and acidity descriptors. The Red Delicious clones confirm the larger size and the high colorimetric standard of all covered red fruits; the new clone Scarlet Spur*-Evasni® reached an interesting fruit size and peel colour intensity and uniformity, and the best total solid soluble content to total acidity ratio confirmed by the sensory descriptors of acidity and sweetness. Moreover, it reached very high values of crunchiness, consistency and interesting values of apple flavour, honey flavour and fruit flavour. The ameliorative clone RoHo 3615*Evelina® was characterized by well uniform and intense coloured fruits and a more balanced total solid soluble content to total acidity ratio, and interesting values of crunchiness, consistency, apple flavour, honey flavour and fruit flavour. This study confirms the relationship between instrumental and sensory analysis

All hands on deck: An innovative approach to sustained and sustainable conservation funding for endangered plants and ecosystems

The Red List Project (TRLP) was founded in 2018 as an NGO [501(c)(3)], dedicated to preventing the extinction of the world's most endangered plant species and to protecting biodiversity hotspots. This approach is highlighted by an ongoing partner ship between TRLP, independent fragrance house Baruti Perfumes and the University of Palermo, to prevent the extinction of the Viola ucriana Erben and Raimondo, critically endangered. This violet is restricted to the slopes of Mt Pizzuta in the Serre della Pizzuta Nature Reserve in Sicily (Italy), between 950 and 1300 m s.l.m., where it grows in xeric prairies and is threatened by factors partly related to human disturbance (e.g., fires, grazing, etc.)

Karyological data of two Sicilian endemic Centaurea species

Chromosome numbers are given for 2 Centaurea species endemic to Sicily. For both studied taxa, Centaurea valdemonensis and C. virescens, the somatic chromosome number, found on material from their loci classici, is diploid (2n = 18)

Effect of harvest date on mango (Mangifera indica l. cultivar osteen) fruit’s qualitative development, shelf life and consumer acceptance

The qualitative characteristics of mango fruits change throughout their development process and are also influenced by their duration. Harvesting at different times after the fruit set affects external and internal quality and the post-harvest behavior and management possibilities of the fruits. The objective of this study was to assess the evolution of the most important physicochemical and organoleptic parameters of cv. Osteen fruits concern the length of their stay on the plant and also to their post-harvest management. For this reason, fruits were harvested progressively in ten pickings. The study showed that mango fruits that are kept on the tree reach the best quality traits, corresponding to their physiological maturation. The length of the storage period needed to reach the consumption point varies greatly according to the harvesting moment and to the different environmental parameters, which also affect the organoleptic and physicochemical quality of the fruits. The number of days after full flowering were confirmed to be the primary information to consider when planning harvest with commercial use of the fruit, but interesting indications can be acquired through the definition of non-destructive (hardness, color) or destructive (dry matter) parameters. The data collected help improve mango fruit′ s post-harvest management practices, to provide a product with constant quality and homogeneity to the consumer

Phenology and Fruit Growth Dynamics of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) in Greenhouse and Open Air in Mediterranean Climate

Phenological evolution of shoots and fruit growth of three mango varieties—Keitt, Osteen and Tommy Atkins—were monitored during two reproductive seasons, from full flowering to fruit harvest on trees cultivated in the open air and inside a greenhouse, in the island of Sicily—Italy. The aim of the study was to assess the behavior of mango trees subjected to summer high temperatures under a permanent plastic cover in the Mediterranean climate. Differences between open air and greenhouse emerged in the dates of first record of major phenological stages and in their duration, and in the fruit growth rates. Greenhouse cultivated trees showed a significant anticipation of flowering and ripening of the fruits respect to open air trees, with harvest conducted earlier during the season. On the other hand, open air cultivated trees achieved fruit maturity in a shorter time compared to the greenhouse, with fruits needing between 90 and 110 days after full flowering to reach their final dimensions—while the trees in the greenhouse needed at least 125 days. The study allowed to understand the growth dynamics of mango fruits subjected to extreme high temperatures and provides new information to evaluate the opportunity of greenhouse cultivation of mango in the Mediterranean climate

Fruit growth stage transitions in two mango cultivars grown in a mediterranean environment

Studying mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruit development represents one of the most important aspects for the precise orchard management under non‐native environmental conditions. In this work, precision fruit gauges were used to investigate important eco‐physiological aspects of fruit growth in two mango cultivars, Keitt (late ripening) and Tommy Atkins (early‐mid ripening). Fruit absolute growth rate (AGR, mm day−1 ), daily diameter fluctuation (ΔD, mm), and a development index given by their ratio (AGR/ΔD) were monitored to identify the prevalent mechanism (cell division, cell expansion, ripening) involved in fruit development in three (‘Tommy Atkins’) or four (‘Keitt’) different periods during growth. In ‘Keitt’, cell division prevailed over cell expansion from 58 to 64 days after full bloom (DAFB), while the opposite occurred from 74 to 85 DAFB. Starting at 100 DAFB, internal changes prevailed over fruit growth, indicating the beginning of the ripening stage. In Tommy Atkins (an early ripening cultivar), no significant differences in AGR/ΔD was found among monitoring periods, indicating that both cell division and expansion coexisted at gradually decreasing rates until fruit harvest. To evaluate the effect of microclimate on fruit growth the relationship between vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and ΔD was also studied. In ‘Keitt’, VPD was the main driving force determining fruit diameter fluctuations. In ‘Tommy Atkins’, the lack of relationship between VPD and ΔD suggest a hydric isolation of the fruit due to the disruption of xylem and stomatal flows starting at 65 DAFB. Further studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis

Pomological, sensorial, nutritional and nutraceutical profile of seven cultivars of Cherimoya (Annona cherimola Mill)

In this work, the food quality of four international (Campas, Chaffey, Fino de Jete and White) and three local (Daniela, Torre1 and Torre2) cultivars of Cherimoya (Annona cherimola Mill) was investigated. With this aim, pomological traits, sensorial attributes, physiochemical parameters (pH, total soluble content and total acidity), nutritional composition (macro- and micro-nutrients) and nutraceutical values (bioactive compounds, radical scavenging and antioxidant properties) were evaluated. Among the seven observed cultivars, Fino de Jete was identified as the best, not only for its commercial attributes such as pomological traits and physiochemical values, but also for its nutritional composition. On the other hand, Chaffey and Daniela were the cultivars with the highest content of polyphenols, proanthocyanidins, and with the strongest antioxidant capacity. Concerning the two local ecotypes, Torre1 and Torre2, they displayed a balanced nutritional profile that, if combined with their discrete nutraceutical, physicochemical and pomological values, may result in a reassessment of their commercial impact. In conclusion, our data provide interesting information about the pomological, nutritional, and nutraceutical properties of cherimoya fruits. Our results, in addition to promoting the commercial impact of local cultivars, may increase the use of individual cultivars in breeding programs