Using multilevel systematic sampling to study apple fruit (Malus domestica Borkh.) quality and its variability at the orchard scale

Mabel Virginia Martinez Vega; Dvoralai Wulfsohn; Line Katrine Harder Clemmensen; Torben Bo Toldam-Andersen

doi:10.1016/j.scienta.2013.06.020

Using multilevel systematic sampling to study apple fruit (Malus domestica Borkh.) quality and its variability at the orchard scale

Mabel Virginia Martinez Vega, Dvoralai Wulfsohn, Line Katrine Harder Clemmensen, Torben Bo Toldam-Andersen

Section for Crop Sciences

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We report on the performance of a novel sampling method for determining fruit quality variability and yield from an orchard, which focus on its applicability for the fruit industry. We used the ‘fractionator’ tree sampling method to investigate the quality variability of a small, representative sample of ‘Granny Smith’ (Malus x domestica cv. ‘Granny Smith’) apples obtained from a 17 ha orchard based on a final sample of 74 fruit. Estimates of fruit marketable yield and fruit size distribution agreed well with packing house records. The estimated marketable yield was 356.6 ± 89.2 t compared to 374.9 t of fruit packed for export. Distributions of starch (S), soluble solids content (SSC) and flesh firmness (F) were also estimated from the sample. The distribution of starch (S) and fruit mass (M) showed high variability (CVS = SD/mean = 0.32 and CVM = 0.23), whereas SSC and flesh firmness showed moderate variability (CVSSC = 0.11 and CVF = 0.10). The average within-tree variabilities were estimated as CVM = 0.04, CVSSC = 0.10, CVS = 0.15 and CVF = 0.07. Between-tree variabilities were similar to the within-tree variabilities, except for starch (CVtM = 0.04, CVtSSC = 0.13, CVtS = 0.29 and CVtF = 0.09). From the quality characteristics studied only fruit mass could be significantly related to position of the fruit in the canopy, represented by height of the fruit above ground, the fruit position along the branch and position relative to the tree row orientation in the orchard. Variations in starch, SSC and flesh firmness could not be explained by position of the fruit in the canopy. The methods used in this paper are proposed as tools for studies aimed at understanding sources of quality variability as well as for management purposes. Further research is needed to determine recommended sample sizes to accurately describe the distribution of various quality variables of apples at the orchard scale.

Original language	English
Journal	Scientia Horticulturae
Volume	161
Pages (from-to)	58-64
Number of pages	7
ISSN	0304-4238
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2013.06.020
Publication status	Published - 24 Sept 2013

Access to Document

10.1016/j.scienta.2013.06.020

Cite this

Using multilevel systematic sampling to study apple fruit (Malus domestica Borkh.) quality and its variability at the orchard scale. / Martinez Vega, Mabel Virginia; Wulfsohn, Dvoralai; Clemmensen, Line Katrine Harder et al.

In: Scientia Horticulturae, Vol. 161, 24.09.2013, p. 58-64.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

@article{9cd4bd1aac794ccd8039e134debfef39,

title = "Using multilevel systematic sampling to study apple fruit (Malus domestica Borkh.) quality and its variability at the orchard scale",

abstract = "We report on the performance of a novel sampling method for determining fruit quality variability and yield from an orchard, which focus on its applicability for the fruit industry. We used the {\textquoteleft}fractionator{\textquoteright} tree sampling method to investigate the quality variability of a small, representative sample of {\textquoteleft}Granny Smith{\textquoteright} (Malus x domestica cv. {\textquoteleft}Granny Smith{\textquoteright}) apples obtained from a 17 ha orchard based on a final sample of 74 fruit. Estimates of fruit marketable yield and fruit size distribution agreed well with packing house records. The estimated marketable yield was 356.6 ± 89.2 t compared to 374.9 t of fruit packed for export. Distributions of starch (S), soluble solids content (SSC) and flesh firmness (F) were also estimated from the sample. The distribution of starch (S) and fruit mass (M) showed high variability (CVS = SD/mean = 0.32 and CVM = 0.23), whereas SSC and flesh firmness showed moderate variability (CVSSC = 0.11 and CVF = 0.10). The average within-tree variabilities were estimated as CVM = 0.04, CVSSC = 0.10, CVS = 0.15 and CVF = 0.07. Between-tree variabilities were similar to the within-tree variabilities, except for starch (CVtM = 0.04, CVtSSC = 0.13, CVtS = 0.29 and CVtF = 0.09). From the quality characteristics studied only fruit mass could be significantly related to position of the fruit in the canopy, represented by height of the fruit above ground, the fruit position along the branch and position relative to the tree row orientation in the orchard. Variations in starch, SSC and flesh firmness could not be explained by position of the fruit in the canopy. The methods used in this paper are proposed as tools for studies aimed at understanding sources of quality variability as well as for management purposes. Further research is needed to determine recommended sample sizes to accurately describe the distribution of various quality variables of apples at the orchard scale.",

author = "{Martinez Vega}, {Mabel Virginia} and Dvoralai Wulfsohn and Clemmensen, {Line Katrine Harder} and Toldam-Andersen, {Torben Bo}",

year = "2013",

month = sep,

day = "24",

doi = "10.1016/j.scienta.2013.06.020",

language = "English",

volume = "161",

pages = "58--64",

journal = "Scientia Horticulturae",

issn = "0304-4238",

publisher = "Elsevier",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Using multilevel systematic sampling to study apple fruit (Malus domestica Borkh.) quality and its variability at the orchard scale

AU - Martinez Vega, Mabel Virginia

AU - Wulfsohn, Dvoralai

AU - Clemmensen, Line Katrine Harder

AU - Toldam-Andersen, Torben Bo

PY - 2013/9/24

Y1 - 2013/9/24

N2 - We report on the performance of a novel sampling method for determining fruit quality variability and yield from an orchard, which focus on its applicability for the fruit industry. We used the ‘fractionator’ tree sampling method to investigate the quality variability of a small, representative sample of ‘Granny Smith’ (Malus x domestica cv. ‘Granny Smith’) apples obtained from a 17 ha orchard based on a final sample of 74 fruit. Estimates of fruit marketable yield and fruit size distribution agreed well with packing house records. The estimated marketable yield was 356.6 ± 89.2 t compared to 374.9 t of fruit packed for export. Distributions of starch (S), soluble solids content (SSC) and flesh firmness (F) were also estimated from the sample. The distribution of starch (S) and fruit mass (M) showed high variability (CVS = SD/mean = 0.32 and CVM = 0.23), whereas SSC and flesh firmness showed moderate variability (CVSSC = 0.11 and CVF = 0.10). The average within-tree variabilities were estimated as CVM = 0.04, CVSSC = 0.10, CVS = 0.15 and CVF = 0.07. Between-tree variabilities were similar to the within-tree variabilities, except for starch (CVtM = 0.04, CVtSSC = 0.13, CVtS = 0.29 and CVtF = 0.09). From the quality characteristics studied only fruit mass could be significantly related to position of the fruit in the canopy, represented by height of the fruit above ground, the fruit position along the branch and position relative to the tree row orientation in the orchard. Variations in starch, SSC and flesh firmness could not be explained by position of the fruit in the canopy. The methods used in this paper are proposed as tools for studies aimed at understanding sources of quality variability as well as for management purposes. Further research is needed to determine recommended sample sizes to accurately describe the distribution of various quality variables of apples at the orchard scale.

AB - We report on the performance of a novel sampling method for determining fruit quality variability and yield from an orchard, which focus on its applicability for the fruit industry. We used the ‘fractionator’ tree sampling method to investigate the quality variability of a small, representative sample of ‘Granny Smith’ (Malus x domestica cv. ‘Granny Smith’) apples obtained from a 17 ha orchard based on a final sample of 74 fruit. Estimates of fruit marketable yield and fruit size distribution agreed well with packing house records. The estimated marketable yield was 356.6 ± 89.2 t compared to 374.9 t of fruit packed for export. Distributions of starch (S), soluble solids content (SSC) and flesh firmness (F) were also estimated from the sample. The distribution of starch (S) and fruit mass (M) showed high variability (CVS = SD/mean = 0.32 and CVM = 0.23), whereas SSC and flesh firmness showed moderate variability (CVSSC = 0.11 and CVF = 0.10). The average within-tree variabilities were estimated as CVM = 0.04, CVSSC = 0.10, CVS = 0.15 and CVF = 0.07. Between-tree variabilities were similar to the within-tree variabilities, except for starch (CVtM = 0.04, CVtSSC = 0.13, CVtS = 0.29 and CVtF = 0.09). From the quality characteristics studied only fruit mass could be significantly related to position of the fruit in the canopy, represented by height of the fruit above ground, the fruit position along the branch and position relative to the tree row orientation in the orchard. Variations in starch, SSC and flesh firmness could not be explained by position of the fruit in the canopy. The methods used in this paper are proposed as tools for studies aimed at understanding sources of quality variability as well as for management purposes. Further research is needed to determine recommended sample sizes to accurately describe the distribution of various quality variables of apples at the orchard scale.

U2 - 10.1016/j.scienta.2013.06.020

DO - 10.1016/j.scienta.2013.06.020

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0304-4238

VL - 161

SP - 58

EP - 64

JO - Scientia Horticulturae

JF - Scientia Horticulturae

ER -