Influence of orchards fertilization management and post-harvest storage time on Malus domestica cv. ‘Gala’ fruit volatiles and quality parameters

Abstract

“Maçã de Alcobaça” is a type of apple from the West coast of Portugal with Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). This study evaluated the influence of the orchard’s fertilization and post-harvest storage time on the quality of “Maçã de Alcobaça”, ‘Gala’ cultivar. Five orchards were studied for four years, using three fertilization treatments [Standard, twice Standard (2xStandard) and twice Standard including organic matter (2xStandard_OM)]. The fruits’ volatile profile, emanation index, and quality parameters were determined in apples after harvest time (T0), three- (T3) and five months (T5) after storage. At T0, the intact apples volatiles were dominated by trans,trans-α-farnesene (48–79 %). trans,trans-α-Farnesene emanation index was larger in T0 apples independently of the orchard and fertilization treatment, and showed an accentuated decrease from T0 to T5. Fruits quality at T0 and T5, showed significant differences per orchard, but their average weight, TSS, and firmness, were not significantly altered with fertilization treatment. Storage did not significantly affect the fruits weight, but TSS and firmness always decreased regardless of the orchard or fertilization treatment. Among other things, the observed variations among orchards after fertilization treatments may relate to the cultural practices of each orchard as well as the fact that their ages and rootstocks varied.