INFLUENCE OF ROOTSTOCKS AND STORAGE CONDITIONS ON THE QUALITY OF SWEET CHERRY FRUITS ‘REGINA’

Abstract

Rootstock modifies many fruits features during growth and cropping trees in the orchard. Studies were undertaken to prove the effect of rootstock on the quality of sweet cherry ‘Regina’ fruit before and after storage period. Experiment was conducted in storage conditions – normal atmosphere at 8°C and 2°C and controlled atmosphere – 3% O2 + 5% CO2 at 2°C. In two seasons, 2011 and 2012 fruits samples are harvested at ma-turity stage and stored for two weeks. After harvest the fruits were evaluated for firmness, soluble solids content and titratable acidity and after storage for firmness, soluble solids content and titratable acidity, the loss of fruit mass, changes of fruit peduncle color, per-cent of decay fruit. Both rootstocks and storage regime affected majority of the investigat-ed parameters. The effect of rootstock was varied and depended on year of experiments; however, fruit from Tabel-Edabriz rootstock exhibited the highest soluble solids content in both years. Fruits from CA 2°C were the most firm, exhibited the highest acidity and the least percent of fungal decay symptoms. In turn, fruits from NA 8°C were character-ized by the highest soluble solids content and SSC/TA ratio. Storage under CA 2°C caused the least loss of fruits weight.

Keywords

• controlled atmosphere
• firmness
• soluble solids content
• titratable acidity
• fruit decay