Influence of altitude on the metabolites of the Golden Delicious apple variety in South Tyrol

Abstract

The quality of climacteric fruits, such as apples, depends to a great extent on the right harvesting time and appropriate storage conditions. Furthermore, it is known that the microclimate surrounding fruit trees influences the growth, maturation, and chemical composition of fruits. However, knowledge concerning the chemical composition of apple fruit as affected by orchard elevation is still scarce and thus the understanding of the interplay and influence of these factors on apple fruit quality needs to be improved. The overall goal of the present study was a better understanding of changes in several fruit characteristics of 'Golden Delicious clone B' apples, derived from orchards located at different altitudes and harvested at different stages of maturity. Furthermore, it was investigated whether altitude has a statistical influence on the chemical composition of stored apples immediately after ULO storage and after six days of shelf-life. The results of the current work may lead to a better understanding of the impact of harvest date and orchard elevation on the fruit quality and storability of 'Golden Delicious clone B'.