Evaluating the Effectiveness of Pre-Harvest Calcium Applications for Bitter Pit Control in 'Golden Delicious' Apples Under South African Conditions

Pre-harvest foliar applications to increase fruit calcium (Ca) content and reduce bitter pit incidence, is a standard practice world wide. We re-evaluated the effectiveness of early season applications versus late applications of calcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2) to reduce bitter pit in 'Golden Delici...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of plant nutrition 2007-01, Vol.30 (1-3), p.471-485
Main Authors: Lotze, E, Theron, K.I
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions
apple
apples
application timing
Biological and medical sciences
bitter pit
calcium
calcium fertilizers
calcium nitrate
cell division
disease incidence
Economic plant physiology
foliar application
fruit diseases
fruiting
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Genetics and breeding of economic plants
Malus domestica
Metabolism
Metabolism. Physicochemical requirements
Nutrition. Photosynthesis. Respiration. Metabolism
plant cultural practices
Plant physiology and development
postharvest diseases
pre-harvest Ca applications
timing
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Summary:Pre-harvest foliar applications to increase fruit calcium (Ca) content and reduce bitter pit incidence, is a standard practice world wide. We re-evaluated the effectiveness of early season applications versus late applications of calcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2) to reduce bitter pit in 'Golden Delicious,' under the present environmental conditions of the Western Cape, South Africa. Two periods of efficient uptake of external Ca were identified, viz., during cell division and the last few weeks before harvest. Foliar Ca applications during mid season (from 40 d after full bloom) were more effective in increasing fruit Ca content and reducing bitter pit incidence, than later applications. Thus, it is important to apply the bulk of the Ca(NO3)2 during the first few weeks after cell division to maximize the Ca content of 'Golden Delicious' apples.
ISSN:0190-4167
1532-4087
DOI:10.1080/01904160601172098