Maturity, Storage Quality, Carbohydrate, and Mineral Content of ‘Goldspur’ Apples as Influenced by Rootstock

Abstract

Influences of rootstocks on ‘Goldspur Golden Delicious’ apple ( Malus domestica Borkh.) respiration rate, ethylene evolution, skin color, firmness, internal color, soluble solids content (SSC), acidity, carbohydrate, and mineral content were evaluated over an extended harvest and after cold storage. At first harvest, fruit from trees on seedling rootstock entered the climacteric (as determined by ethylene evolution) first (after 10 days) followed by fruit from M.26 trees, while apples from trees on MM.111 required 16 days. After 60 days in storage, CO 2 and ethylene production were greatest for apples from trees on MM.111 rootstock. Fruit from trees on M.26 developed more external color, contained more acids, had a higher SSC, and appeared to mature between apples grown on the other two rootstocks. Fruit from trees on M.26 were firmer than those on MM.111. Apples from trees on seedling rootstock contained less fructose, glucose, and sucrose than apples from M.26 or MM.111. Calcium content was highest in fruit from trees on M.26.