Preharvest conditions for better postharvest apples

Apple is a unique fruit, characterized by excellent nutritional properties and good postharvest properties. Following the harvesting process, it is crucial to maintain the integrity of the fruit and ensure that its nutritional properties remain largely unchanged for an extended period, or at least to minimize any alterations. The postharvest quality of apples is significantly affected by the conditions under which they are cultivated, as well as by the management practices that are implemented preharvest. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of growing conditions on the postharvest quality of apples and the quality of the fruit during storage. Eight distinct combinations of growth control techniques, including manual pruning, mechanical pruning, spraying, and trunk cutting, were selected for this experiment. The experiment was carried out in an experimental intensive orchard in Lithuania, (55°60’ N, 23°48’ E). Apples (Malus Domestica Borkh.) for the experiment were collected from fully grown trees. The collected apples were stored and placed in boxes in a temperature-controlled (temperature 4±2˚C degrees) storage facility for 6 months, after which the postharvest quality and any quality changes in the apples were evaluated. It was observed that the lowest incidence of apples being affected by rot resulted from a combination of mechanized and manual pruning techniques, with a recorded damage rate of 20 percent. Furthermore, these apples demonstrated the highest levels of soluble sugars during storage, with their sucrose levels increasing by more than threefold due to the decomposition of starch. Conversely, the highest proportion of rotten apples, at 40 percent, was noted following trunk cutting with the aim of growth regulation. This method also led to the greatest loss of moisture and the lowest accumulation of sugars. Combining manual pruning with mechanized pruning allows for the highest quality of fruit, which can be maintained with minimal losses during storage. The experiment's results indicate that proper growth control techniques can enhance the postharvest quality of apples without the need for additional tools.