Effects of Different Rootstocks on Storage Life andQuality of Loquat Fruit (cv. Gold Nugget)

Abstract

In this study, the effects of rootstocks on storage life and quality in GoldNugget loquat grafted on quince, hawthorn and loquat rootstocks wereinvestigated. After harvest, fruit were placed in plastic boxes (2 kg) coveredwith stretch film and stored for 45 days at 5 ± 0.5°C and 90 ± 5% RH. Weightloss, fruit firmness, total soluble solid, titratable acidity, maturity rate,respiration rate, ethylene production, CO2 and O2 concentrations in package,skin colour (L*,a*,b*,C*,h°), decay rate and sensory quality of fruit weredetermined at 15-day intervals during storage. The same analyzes wererepeated for shelf life evaluation after keeping fruit 2 days in ambient condition(20°C and 70±5 RH%). Fruit grown on quince rootstock had the best resultsfor maintaining external appearance, titratable acidity, maturation rate andvivid skin colour. The lowest decay rate and respiration rate during storagewere also obtained from this combination. Quince and loquat seedlingrootstocks had similar results for sensory quality and decay rate. Coveringboxes by stretch film (20 µm) reduced the weight loss in the all thecombination of scion/rootstock but, increased pathogens development. Thesefindings revealed that fruit, obtained from the combinations of Gold Nuggetvariety with quince and loquat seedling rootstocks, can be stored with goodquality for 30+2 days at 5°C and 90 ± 5 RH%.