I would like to add a few comments about watercore.. It usually develops in hot/dry seasons, especially if the hot weather occurs during the last two months before harvest. As Jon indicated, the exact cause is not known but, as I vaguely recall, one study suggested that the process of sorbitol conversion to starch is disturbed in watercore apples. Sorbitol is a sugar-alcohol that apple leaves send to the fruit to be converted into starch (you will not feel the alcohol effect when eat watercore apples). Watercore apples have higher sorbitol and low starch than non watercore apples and that is why they taste sweeter. In general, fruits that have low or no starch should not be stored for any length of time regardless if they have watercore or not. A simple iodine test is a good indicator of the starch level in the fruit. I am not sure there has been any scientific evidence directly linking watercore to calcium and that maybe the reason why the calcium spray did not reduce the disorder. Hope this help, Mosbah Kushad, University of Illinois
-----Original Message----- From: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jon Clements Sent: Saturday, August 18, 2007 8:09 AM To: Apple-Crop Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Paula Red - Water Core Problem Joanne, watercore is a physiological disorder whose cause is many and not terribly well understood. Suffice it to say, it should clue you off to a few things: 1.) It is a good indicator of maturity, in this case over-maturity. Watercore fruit should be harvested ASAP. 2.) It may be an indicator of low calcium levels in the fruit -- fruit seem to be large this year on average, we have had plenty of rain, so calcium levels in fruit may be low despite our efforts to supply calcium. Our Paulared crop in Belchertown is very heavy, further exacerbating the problem. I am not sure if we can implicate Apogee use in any of this? 3.) Water core fruit should not be stored if you can avoid it. 4.) Some cultures place a premium on watercore ('Honeycore') fruit, particularly for example Fuji. Of course this makes sense given that it is a sign of mature fruit, hence high in sugars and complexity of flavor. For a more complete explanation on the phenomenon, see: http://postharvest.tfrec.wsu.edu/pgDisplay.php?article=N3I4A Good luck and don't sweat it too much. Jon Jon Clements Extension Tree Fruit Specialist UMass Cold Spring Orchard 393 Sabin Street Belchertown, MA 01007 VOICE 413.478.7219 FAX 413.323.0382 IM mrhoneycrisp Skype Name mrhoneycrisp On Aug 18, 2007, at 7:40 AM, JOANNE DINARDO wrote: > We have experienced water core in about 30% of our Paula Red Apples. > They are in two different blocks in the orchard and the problem exists > throughout the crop. The problem is on small and large apples and on > almost ripe and over ripe apples. The only different chemical that was > used this year was Appogee. We applied calcium as a nutrient but have > done so consistently over the years. > > In seven years we have never experienced this problem. Has anyone else > checked on their crop? Has anyone else experienced this under these > unique growing conditions. > > Thanks > Joanne DiNardo > Sholan Farms > Leominster, Mass > 978-870-5555 > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > > The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard > <http://www.virtualorchard.net> and managed by Win Cowgill and Jon > Clements <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. > > Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not > represent "official" opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no > responsibility for the content. > > > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard <http://www.virtualorchard.net> and managed by Win Cowgill and Jon Clements <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not represent "official" opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no responsibility for the content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard <http://www.virtualorchard.net> and managed by Win Cowgill and Jon Clements <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not represent "official" opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no responsibility for the content.
