The most common form of watercore seems to correlate to fruit
maturity, but sorbitol accumulation that results in translucent fruit
flesh is not always maturity-related. A striking example of this
occurs in my very light-cropping Macoun this season.
A significant percentage , maybe 15%, of the apples have shown
translucence since the middle of July. It goes deep, but the seed
cavities that I have looked at have not been filled with liquid.
Several weeks ago, many of these fruits were
exuding droplets of sticky liquid on their skin surface. I have seen
examples of these symptoms other years in several varieties, but not
to the extent I see this year. I assume the light crop has
something to do with it, but surely there
is more involved than that. The light crop is the consequence of
excessive response of an extremely heavy fruit set to thinning spray.
Apogee was used as well, and I don't know if that influenced
watercore development.
David Kollas
Kollas Orchard
Tolland, CT
On Aug 18, 2007, at 9:09 AM, Jon Clements wrote:
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
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