Evaluation of Gloeosporium fungal decay attack in Idared and Golden Delicious Reinders cultivars using NIR spectroscopy

Abstract

The aim of our work was to observe the possibility of application of near-infrared spectroscopy for monitoring of internal changes in stored apples inficated by Gloeosporium album (Osterw) [Pezicula malicorticis (H. S. Jackson)]. The cultivars Idared and Golden Delicious Reinders were used in this work. Two groups of infected and non-infected apples of both cultivars each containing twenty pieces and stored in cold-storage room (± 3 °C) were observed for seven weeks. The apples were measured in reflectance mode with resolution 8 and number of scans 100. Each fruit was analysed 4 times and the average spectrum was used for evaluation. The discriminate analysis was applied to separate into clusters. This method was used for distinguishing infected and non-infected apples of both cultivars during the first week from the application of Gloeosporium album. According to spectra, the infection was more evident in Golden Delicious Reinders which was also confirmed by a stronger visual exposure. Although Idared displays weaker symptoms of the attack, NIR spectroscopy was still able to detect infected fruits.

Keywords

• NIR spectroscopy
• apples Idared
• apples Golden Delicious Reinders
• <i>Gloeosporium</i>