The effect of organic fertilizers and thinning methods on quality parameters and the yield on apple cultivars ‘Aroma’ and ‘Discovery’ in Norway

In Norway, apple growers with the packinghouses are focused in medium size apples for 6-pack consumer packages when it comes to cultivar ‘Aroma’. ‘Aroma’ can have an excessive and uneven fruit set and therefore there is a growing need to find out method to reduce the fruit size of cv. ‘Aroma’. 'Discovery' is rather small-fruited cultivar, hence more even and bigger size fruit is desired. In our study, different thinning methods with two different types of organic fertilizers were used to influence the fruit size and the yield. Our hypothesis was that organic fertilizers provide optimal nutrient ranges during the growing season to cultivars ‘Aroma’ and the ‘Discovery’ and have a positive effect on the yield and quality parameters

Comparison of Regular Atmospheric Storage versus Modified Atmospheric Packaging on Postharvest Quality of Organically Grown Lowbush and Half-Highbush Blueberries

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of modified atmosphere (MA) packages on the external quality of organically grown lowbush blueberry and half-highbush blueberry ('Northblue') and the nutritional value of the fruits. Fruits were divided into plastic punnets and stored as follows: regular atmosphere (RA), punnets without packing; punnets sealed in a low-density polyethylene (LDPE, Estiko) bag; punnets sealed in an Xtend (R) blueberry bag (Stepac). Fruits were stored at 3 +/- 1 degrees C. Compared to RA conditions, the Xtend (R) package prolonged the postharvest life for 15 days for lowbush and 9 days for half-highbush blueberries. Fruit dry matter (DM) and titratable acidity (TA) were higher in the Xtend (R) package. Fruit SSC decreased in the LDPE packages and increased in the Xtend (R) packages during storage. Based on the decreased soluble solids content (SSC) and titratable acidity (TA) ratio (SSC:TA) values during storage, it can be concluded that the taste of the fruits became sourer in all packages. Anthocyanin biosynthesis of lowbush blueberries was suppressed in MA, but this effect was not noticed for 'Northblue'. Regarding fruit firmness, shrivelling, and decay, there were significant differences between the MA packages, but the genetic differences were more important: half-highbush blueberry fruits were firmer and less shrivelled

The effect of organic fertilizers on productivity and fruit chemical composition of half-highbush blueberry (Vaccinium x atlanticum E.P. Bicknell)

Uurimustööks vajalik materjal koguti 2011. aastal OÜ Hiie Talu territooriumil läbi viidud poolkõrge mustika sordi ’Northblue’ katselt, mis asub Ilmatsalu külas, Tähtvere vallas, Tartu maakonnas. Katseistandik rajati ammendunud freesturbaväljale 2006. aastal pistokstest paljundatud üheaastaste taimedega, vahekaugusega 1,0 m ja reavahega 1,5 m. Katses kasutati järgnevaid väetisi N normiga 70 kg/ha: Compost Kanakaka N 5 – P 3 – K 16, Biolan Loodusväetis Kartulile ja Juurviljale N 3 – P 1 – K 7, Biolan Loodusväetis N 4 – P 1 – K 2, Monterra N9 – P1 – K4. Maheväetiste N kogust tõsteti 100 kg/ha, lisades karvajahu (N 14 – P 1 – K 0) N 30 kg/ha. Kontrollvariandina kasutati mineraalväetist CropCare (N 6 – P 14 – K 23) N 100 kg/ha. Uurimustöö tulemustest järeldus, et kõige efektiivsem väetis poolkõrge mustika kasvatamiseks on Biolan 4 1 2. Orgaaniline väetis tagas taimede vitaalse kasvu ja hea saagikuse (1222,3 g/taim) ning omas positiivset mõju viljade antotsüaanide sisaldusele (113,2 mg/100 g). Biolan 4 1 2 on alternatiiviks mineraalväetistele ja seda saab soovitada tootjatele ning rakendada maheviljelustootmises.The work includes 64 pages including 26 graphics, 4 tables and 60 references Thesis language: Estonian Time and place of defence: 31 of May 2012. Tõnisson‟s house, Eerika, Tartu, Estonia Experiment was carried out on the territory of OÜ Hiie Talu near Ilmatsalu village, Tartu, Estonia. The plantation was developed of one – year – old cuttings. Blueberry plants were planted at 1 x 1,5 m spacing. The following organic fertilizers were used in 2011 (N 70 kg/ha): Compost Kanakaka N 5 – P 3 – K 16, Biolan Loodusväetis Kartulile ja Juurviljale N 3 – P 1 – K 7, Biolan Loodusväetis N 4 – P 1 – K 2, Monterra N9 – P1 – K0. Additional N 30 kg/ha was given with feather meal N 14 – P 1 – K 0. For control treatment was used CropCare fertilizer (N 6 – P 14 – K 23) N 100 kg/ha. Experiment results indicated that the most efficient fertilizer for half – highbush blueberry is Biolan 4 1 2, which provided vital growth, high yield (1222,3 g/bush) and also increased the fruit anthocyanin content (113,2 mg/100 g). Organic fertilizer Biolan 4 1 2 can be used as alternative for mineral fertilizers and be recommended for organic production

Comparison of Regular Atmospheric Storage versus Modified Atmospheric Packaging on Postharvest Quality of Organically Grown Lowbush and Half-Highbush Blueberries

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of modified atmosphere (MA) packages on the external quality of organically grown lowbush blueberry and half-highbush blueberry (’Northblue’) and the nutritional value of the fruits. Fruits were divided into plastic punnets and stored as follows: regular atmosphere (RA), punnets without packing; punnets sealed in a low-density polyethylene (LDPE, Estiko) bag; punnets sealed in an Xtend® blueberry bag (Stepac). Fruits were stored at 3 ± 1 °C. Compared to RA conditions, the Xtend® package prolonged the postharvest life for 15 days for lowbush and 9 days for half-highbush blueberries. Fruit dry matter (DM) and titratable acidity (TA) were higher in the Xtend® package. Fruit SSC decreased in the LDPE packages and increased in the Xtend® packages during storage. Based on the decreased soluble solids content (SSC) and titratable acidity (TA) ratio (SSC:TA) values during storage, it can be concluded that the taste of the fruits became sourer in all packages. Anthocyanin biosynthesis of lowbush blueberries was suppressed in MA, but this effect was not noticed for ‘Northblue’. Regarding fruit firmness, shrivelling, and decay, there were significant differences between the MA packages, but the genetic differences were more important: half-highbush blueberry fruits were firmer and less shrivelled