Drying kinetics and selected physico - chemical properties of fresh cranberries preserved with microwave – vacuum process

[EN] A one stage drying process for dried cranberry production, employing a vacuum microwave technique, is proposed. The process consists of a specific sequence of microwave energy dosage at a given vacuum level. During the 60 minute process, three sub-stages can be identified: osmotic dehydration, intensive water evaporation and stabilization. Mass transfer, as well as quality changes during the process, has been described, and the final product quality compared to purchased control. The proposed method of dried cranberry production resulted in a microbiologically stable product (aw=0.62) of a decent sensory quality, with an antioxidant potential three times higher than traditional products.This work was performed in the frame of the multiannual programme (IO 2015-2020, PW 1.4.), financed by the Polish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.Piecko, J.; Konopacka, D.; Mieszczakowska-Frąc, M.; Kruczyńska, D.; Celejewska, K. (2018). Drying kinetics and selected physico - chemical properties of fresh cranberries preserved with microwave – vacuum process. En IDS 2018. 21st International Drying Symposium Proceedings. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1927-1934. https://doi.org/10.4995/IDS2018.2018.8365OCS1927193

Genetic diversity of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’ strains in Poland

During 2010-2013, samples from 267 apple trees growing in six regions of Poland were tested for phytoplasma presence. ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’ was detected in 17 samples from phloem tissue of apple shoots showing typical apple proliferation symptoms. Molecular characterization of these strains was conducted using PCR-RFLP and sequence analyses of three regions: ribosomal DNA, ribosomal protein and non-ribosomal DNA fragment including nitroreductase and rhodanese-like protein genes. Fragments of 16S rDNA plus 16S-23S spacer region from the ‘Ca. P. mali’ strains showed two restriction profiles: P-I and P-II when digested with HpaII enzyme. Moreover, based on results of nitroreductase and rhodanese-like protein genes, these phytoplasmas were grouped into two subtypes: AP-15 and AT-1. The majority of the ‘Ca. P. mali’ strains was classified to the AP-15 subtype. Two strains were grouped to the AT-1 subtype and another showed both AP-15 and AT-1 profiles. Based on results of analysis of rpl22 and rps3 ribosomal protein genes, most of the ‘Ca. P. mali’ strains were identified as belonging to rpX-A. Only one strain was affiliated to rpX-B subgroup

Pożyteczna entomofauna w sadzie ekologicznym z pasami kwiatowymi

A poster about beneficial entomofauna that can live in flower strips in ecological orchards

Quality Potential Of Some New Pear Cultivars – How To Obtain Fruit Of The Best Sensory Characteristics?

The eating quality of nine new pear cultivars grown in Poland was investigated in 2008-2011. Fruits of two summer cultivars: ‘Alfa’ and ‘Radana’, as well as late season varieties: ‘Hortensia’, ‘Dicolor’, ‘Concorde’, ‘Uta’, ‘Xenia’, ‘Erika’ and ‘Verdi’ were compared to fruits of ‘Clapp’s Favorite’ and ‘Conference’, which were taken as cultivars of reference. Fruits of all cultivars were harvested from the Experimental Orchard of the Research Institute of Horticulture at the commercial maturity stage and stored at +2.5 °C or -0.5 °C in a normal atmosphere (NA) or at -0.5 °C in a controlled atmosphere (CA) (0.7% CO2 : 2% O2) for 6 to 16 weeks. At the end of storage, the fruits of each cultivar were subjected to an individual ripening schedule at 18 °C (up to 14 days), which generated samples of diversified quality attributes. Based on instrumental analyses and descriptive sensory assessment the quality attributes of each cultivar were examined. The gathered data on the dynamics of quality attribute changes during the ripening stage confirm that each new cultivar needs an individual strategy during storage and ripening in order to maximise their specific sensory attributes to increase potential market value. The obtained data leads to the conclusion that ‘Xenia’ and ‘Concorde’ fruits have the biggest chance to fulfil consumer expectations, as they were appreciated more than the reference ‘Conference’ cultivar. Among the others also ‘Hortensia’, ‘Verdi’ and ‘Dicolor’ were scored higher than ‘Conference’, but their advantages were not so evident

Innowacyjne metody zwiększania „funkcjonalnej bioróżnorodności” w sadach

Promotional poster for increasing FAB in apple orchards. Created by D. Kruczyńska, M. Sekrecka, J. Lisek, G. Soika, P. Bielicki, L. Sigsgaard, L. Pfiffner and the EcoOrchard team

Rośliny przywabiające faunę pożyteczną w sadach

Promotional poster about plants which attract beneficial organisms in orchards

On Structure Sets of Stratified Manifolds

In many crops, the intensive use of pesticides causes major problems both for the environment and for natural ecosystem services. Apple is Europe's most frequently produced orchard fruit, requiring high pesticide input to combat the most important apple insect pests, Dysaphis plantaginea (Passerini) and Cydia pomonella (L.). Here we sought to control these pests by promoting natural enemies using sown perennial flower strips. We trialled these in the alleyways of organic apple orchards in seven European countries. Visual assessments over two years revealed a higher number of natural enemies on plant parts, and specifically in D. plantaginea colonies on trees, in flower strip plots than on trees in control plots with standard orchard vegetation. Trees in the flower strip plots recorded a slower D. plantaginea population increase as compared with control plots, resulting in reduced fruit damage after the second fruit drop. Likewise, from 2016–2017, the number of preadult codling moths decreased more in the flower strip plots as compared to the control plots resulting in reduced fruit damage. Our study shows on a wide continental scale that the implementation of perennial flower strips in the alleyways between apple tree rows boosts natural enemies and reduces key apple pests and the associated fruit damage. This supports the role of functional agrobiodiversity as a way to potentially reduce insecticide use in orchards and thus further promote conservation of agrobiodiversity. We also provide suggested plant composition for flower strips adapted to different European countries and recommendations for implementation and management in practice