Fruit quality and productivity on apple replacement branches : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Horticultural Science at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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Date
1991
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Massey University
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Abstract
Three different bud types were identified on vigorous horizontal to
upright (replacement) branches growing on the outer tree canopy of several
apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) cultivars ('Granny Smith', 'Royal Gala' and
'Braeburn '). These bud types were termed two-year spur, one-year lateral and
one-year terminal buds. Fruit quality and productivity characteristics of these
bud types, and those of old spur buds (>three years) located inside the canopy,
were investigated and compared.
Final fruit set on the replacement branch was consistently greater for
buds on two-year old wood than for those on one-year wood. However, there
was little difference in budbreak or flowering characteristics between wood
ages. When three different bud types were compared, fruit set was greatest on
two-year spur buds, intermediate on one-year terminal buds and lowest on oneyear
lateral buds. A similar pattern in the timing of flower bud opening during
bloom was also measured for the different bud types. In contrast, flower
number per bud, primary leaf area at bloom and bourse leaf area after bloom
were greatest on one-year terminal, lowest on one-year lateral and intermediate
on two-year spur buds.
Fruit from two-year spur buds were larger at harvest than those borne
on one-year lateral buds. Differences in average size ranged from 1 2 to 36%,
depending upon cultivar and year. Fruit on one-year terminal buds were
intermediate in size ('Granny Smith' only). There was no difference in seed
number per fruit between fruit of various bud types. Fruit on old spurs were
also consistently smaller than fruit on two-year spur buds.
Cumulative fruit growth followed a-sigmoidal curve for fruit from twoyear
spur buds and one-year lateral buds (fruit from one-year terminals were
not considered). Absolute growth rate was greater for fruit from two-year
spurs compared with fruit from one-year laterals, although relative growth rates
were similar. Flower receptacle size at bloom was consistently larger on twoyear
spurs than on one-year lateral buds. These differences in receptacle size
probably accounted for differences in fruit size at harvest.
Fruit from two-year spur buds had higher internal ethylene
concentrations and starch index score at commercial harvest and were softer
and had yellower flesh ('Royal Gala' and 'Braeburn') or skin colour ('Granny
Smith') than fruit from one-year lateral buds. There was little influence of bud
type on fruit soluble solids concentration, amount of red blush coverage on the
fruit or intensity of red blush ('Royal Gala' and 'Braeburn').
Fruit on old spurs inside the canopy had lower internal ethylene
concentrations than fruit from two-year spurs or one-year lateral buds for all
cultivars at commercial harvest. Fruit from old spurs also had lower soluble
solids concentration, poorer red skin colour development and intensity ('Royal
Gala' and 'Braeburn'), greener flesh colour ('Royal Gala' and 'Braeburn') and
greener skin colour ('Granny Smith') than fruit on the replacement branch.
Fruit mineral concentrations from different bud types of 'Braeburn' and
'Granny Smith' were also compared at commercial harvest. One-year terminal
buds on 'Granny Smith' produced fruit which had higher calcium, potassium
and magnesium concentrations than fruit on two-year spurs, one-year lateral
and old spur buds. When fruit of the same size was compared, fruit calcium
concentrations, Ca:K and Ca:Mg ratios were generally highest for one-year
terminal buds, lowest for one-year lateral buds and intermediate for the other
bud types. For 'Braebum', fruit on the replacement branch had similar mineral
concentrations, but had lower calcium concentrations than fruit from old spurs
inside the canopy.
One-year lateral buds had the lowest fruit calcium, magnesium and
potassium contents for 'Granny Smith' and 'Braebum'. One-year terminal
buds produced fruit with the highest fruit mineral content for 'Granny Smith'
whilst for 'Braebum' two-year spurs had the highest mineral content.
Differences in 'Granny Smith' fruit calcium content between bud types on the
replacement branch were associated with similar differences in bourse leaf area.
Manual reduction in leaf area at bloom on two-year spurs reduced fruit
calcium content on 'Gala' and 'Royal Gala' throughout the season. Partial
removal of primary leaves reduced calcium accumulation earlier than total
bourse shoot removal. On a per leaf basis, removal of primary leaves was
more effective in reducing calcium uptake than removal of the bourse shoots.
However, neither fruit growth, magnesium nor potassium accumulation during
the season were generally affected by such treatments.
These results are discussed in terms of (1) physiological limitations to
productivity and fruit quality on apple replacement branches and trees; (2)
refining current management techniques. so that yield and fruit quality are
maximised on such branches and trees.
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Keywords
Apples, Quality, Fruit, Horticulture