The Advantage of Cultivation without Leaf-Pluck and the Factors Affecting the "Softness" of Apples of 'AKIBAE'

Abstract

　Cultivation of apples of 'AKIBAE' without leaf-pluck is suggested to be significantly different from the traditional cultivation methods and thought to reduce labor hours.

　Cultivation without leaf-pluck resulted in higher sugar content (without Shadow light Brix), and improved the fruit quality, as determined using non-destructive analytical techniques.

　We found a strong correlation between the softness of the fruit and the starch index when adjusted for parameters such as fruit maturity, pH, acidity, and hardness. The pH and acidity were negatively correlated, while a positive correlation was observed between the hardness of inner flesh and outer softness. Thus, the hardness of inner flesh as a variable had a strong effect on the objective variable, outer softness.