Abstract:

Using ‘Fuji’ apples from 44 orchards in Hebei Province as test materials, the correlation of fruit quality of ‘Fuji’ apples and cultivation altitude was studied using sampling, measurement and correlation analysis at maturity. The average altitude of apple orchards in Hebei Province was 247.77 m. In terms of fruit appearance quality, single fruit weight was significantly and negatively correlated with altitude (r=-0.33, P<0.05). The coloring index was extremely significantly and positively correlated with altitude (r=0.43, P<0.01), and the fruit splitting index was highly significantly and negatively correlated with altitude (r=-0.64, P<0.01). In terms of fruit quality, the soluble solid content of the fruit was significantly and positively correlated with altitude (r=0.37, P<0.05). Hardness, titratable acid content and solid acid ratio were not significantly correlated with altitude. In terms of fruit texture characteristics, the adhesiveness was significantly and negatively correlated with altitude (r=-0.30, P<0.05). The cohesiveness was significantly and positively correlated with altitude (r=0.34, P<0.05). The fracture ability and gumminess were significantly and positively correlated with altitude (r=0.30, P<0.05). The chew ability was significantly and positively correlated with altitude (r=0.32, P<0.05). The springiness was not significantly correlated with altitude. When altitude is below 700 m, higher altitude can significantly improve the appearance quality and soluble solids’ content of fruits, and the altitude has a significant correlation with the fruit texture characteristics.

Key words: apple, altitude, correlation, fruit quality, TPA