Abstract

RODRIGUEZ, María Eugenia; ARJONA, Concepción  and  RIZZATO, Gabriel. Evaluation of interesting agronomical characteristics of Modesto apricot cultivar. Rev. Fac. Cienc. Agrar., Univ. Nac. Cuyo [online]. 2011, vol.43, n.2, pp.223-233. ISSN 1853-8665.

Modesto apricot cultivar is of relatively recent introduction in Mendoza ( Argentina). The aim of this work was to evaluate the following agronomical characteristics: blooming time and fruit quality at harvest and postharvest. The study was carried out in a commercial orchard during 2007 and 2008. Three phenological stages were registered: "D" (visible corolla), "F" (opened fruit) and "H" (set fruit). The beginning of bloom, full bloom and the end of it were determined. Fruit quality evaluations were made at harvest and after the ripening period of cold stored fruits. Maturity and quality parameters determined were: ground color, fruit weight, size, flesh firmness, soluble solid content, pH, titratable acidity, presence of fungi and physiological disorders. Results show that Modesto is an intermediate flowering cultivar at the East region of Mendoza province. The date of full bloom for the two years studied was September 8. At the stages of maturity that were assessed fruits meet quality attributes demanded by the consumer: high soluble solid content, orange skin colour after ripening, acceptable flesh firmness; however the rapid loss of firmness during postharvest ripening obliges an accelerated marketing. After thirty days of cold storage and two days at room temperature symptoms of woolliness appeared. The incidence was more than 60%. For this reason wooliness is the main factor limiting long cold storage.

Keywords : Apricots; Blooming; Fruit quality; Prunus armeniaca L.

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