Influence of Cultivar on Nectar Sugar Content in Several Species of Tree Fruits

Abstract

The nectars of several apple ( Malus domestica Borkh.), apricot ( Prunus armeniaca L.), crab apple ( M. baccata L. and M. floribunda Seib.), peach ( Prunus persica L.), pear ( Pyrus malus L.), and sweet cherry ( Prunus avium L.) cultivars were analyzed for sugar contents. ‘Skaha’ apricot was significantly higher in fructose, glucose, and sucrose than ‘Wenatchee Moorpark’ or ‘Tilton’. ‘Lambert’ sweet cherry was significantly higher in these sugars than ‘Van’ or ‘Stella’. Sugar levels were higher in ‘Bartlett’ and ‘Spartlett’ than ‘Anjou’. ‘McIntosh’ and ‘Red Delicious’ nectars were higher in the individual sugars than ‘Golden Delicious’. An appreciable range of values was found among the crab apples but the sugar content in some were comparable to those of apple.