Preferences of Canadian consumers for apple fruit size

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. R. Hampson ◽  
K. Sanford ◽  
J. Cline
Keyword(s):  
Malus Domestica ◽  
Consumer Preferences ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Consumer Preference ◽  
Apple Fruit ◽  
Malus Domestica Borkh ◽  
Size Preference ◽  
Fruit Diameter ◽  
Just Right

Apple fruit size preferences are known to vary among consumer populations. Characteristic commercial fruit size varies among apple-growing regions within Canada for a given cultivar. Canadian consumer preferences for apple size are not well documented, nor is it known whether preferences vary among regions. In this study, 586 consumers from British Columbia, Ontario and Nova Scotia were asked to rate a series of apple sizes using the affective “Just Right” scale. Ideal fruit size was similar regardless of province or consumer gender. Age groups differed slightly in fruit size preference. The Just Right score was a linear function of fruit diameter for all groups. The fruit diameter considered ideal for dessert use ranged from 7.4 to 7.6 cm among the age groups. Key words: Malus × domestica Borkh., sensory evaluation, consumer preference

scholarly journals Consumption, preferences and habits of purchasing consumers of peaches and nectarines

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gener Augusto Penso ◽  
Carlos Eduardo Magalhães Dos Santos ◽  
Cláudio Horst Bruckner ◽  
Jussara Cristina Firmino da Costa ◽  
Idemir Citadin
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Preferences ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Consumer Preference ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Production Chain ◽  
Google Docs ◽  
Descriptive Research ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Yellow Flesh

Abstract In Brazil, there are few studies and information available on consumer preferences for peaches and nectarines. This lack of information, has hindered some aspects of the production chain, as the choice and exploitation of more appropriate cultivars, offer periods, adoption of marketing and marketing strategies, consequently affecting the availability and commercialization of fruits. This study aimed to analyze the consumer preference of peaches and nectarines, evaluate the traits observed for their acquisition, and the marketplace where they are preferably purchased. The research was carried out from November 2016 to February 2017, using the descriptive research methodology, by Survey method and Web 2.0. A structured questionnaire was applied with closed questions. An online form questionnaire was prepared using the Google docs application and also distributed online, through the internet social Medias. 610 people participated in the survey, with predominance of consumers living in the South and Southeast regions of the country, in the age groups of 21 to 30 years old, with a predominance of female participants. Consumption is mainly in the in natura form, and often predominates certain times a year. Consumers buy these fruits mainly in the supermarkets/hypermarkets. The consumers of peaches and nectarines in Brazil have a higher preference for fruits with yellow flesh and red epidermis, followed by fruits with white flesh and intense red epidermis, both preferably with free stone. The main criteria for the acquisition of peaches and nectarines in Brazil are fruit appearance (presence and/or absence of defects, bruises, etc.); followed by price, color of epidermis and fruit size.

scholarly journals Ultrastructure of Cells and Microanalysis in Malus domestica Borkh. ‘Szampion’ Fruit in Relation to Varied Calcium Foliar Feeding

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (20) ◽  
pp. 4622
Author(s):  
Piotr Kowalik ◽  
Tomasz Lipa ◽  
Zenia Michałojć ◽  
Mirosława Chwil
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Malus Domestica ◽  
Cell Structure ◽  
Middle Lamella ◽  
Apple Fruit ◽  
Malus Domestica Borkh ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Cytoplasmic Membranes

Calcium is one of the most poorly reutilized nutrients. Its deficiencies cause various physiological disturbances and, consequently, reduce the quantity and quality of yields. Reduced content of Ca2+ ions in cells leads to development of, e.g., bitter pit in apples. Efficient and instantaneous mitigation of Ca2+ deficiencies is provided by foliar feeding. There are no detailed data on the effect of foliar feeding with various calcium forms on the cell structure or on the microanalysis and mapping of this element in apple fruit cells. Therefore, we carried out comparative studies of the ultrastructure of epidermis and hypodermis cells, to assess the content and distribution of calcium in the cell wall, cytoplasmic membrane, cytoplasm, and precipitates of Malus domestica Borkh. ‘Szampion’ fruit exposed to four Ca treatments, including the control with no additional Ca supplementation (I) and foliar applications of Ca(NO3)2 (II), CaCl2 (III), and Ca chelated with EDTA (IV). Light and transmission electron microscopy and an X-ray microanalyzer were used and showed a beneficial effect of calcium preparations on the ultrastructure of fruit epidermis and hypodermis cells, manifested in the presence of a normally developed cell wall with a regular middle lamella, preserved continuity of cytoplasmic membranes, and stabilized cell structure. In the selected elements of apical epidermis cells, the highest level of Ca2+ ions was detected in the middle lamella, cell wall, plasmalemma, and cytoplasm. The highest increase in the Ca2+ content in these cell constituents was recorded in treatment IV, whereas the lowest value of the parameters was noted in variant III.

scholarly journals EFFECTS OF HYDROGEN CYANAMIDE ON APPLE AND PLUM FRUIT THINNING

HortScience ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 690a-690
Author(s):  
Esmaeil Fallahi ◽  
Brenda R. Simons ◽  
John K. Fellman ◽  
W. Michael Colt
Keyword(s):  
Malus Domestica ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Apple Fruit ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Full Bloom ◽  
Hydrogen Cyanamide ◽  
Fruit Thinning ◽  
Prunus Salicina

Influence of various concentrations of hydrogen cyanamide (HC) on fruit thinning of `Rome Beauty' apple (Malus domestica Borkh.), `Friar,' and `Simka' plums (Prunus salicina Lindley) were studied. A full bloom application of HC at all tested concentrations decreased `Rome Beauty' apple fruit set and yield, and increased fruit weight. Hydrogen cyanamide at 0.25% (V/V) resulted in adequate apple thinning, indicated by the production of an ideal fruit weight. Prebloom and full bloom applications of HC at greater than 0.75% reduced plum fruit set and yield in `Friar.' Full bloom application of HC at 0.25% to 0.50% showed a satisfactory fruit set, yield, and fruit size in `Friar' plum. Full bloom application decreased fruit set and yield in `Simka' plum. Hand thinning, as well as chemical thinning, is recommended for plums.

scholarly journals Estimating Apple Fruit Size Distribution from Early-season Fruit Diameter Measurements

HortScience ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (11) ◽  
pp. 1947-1954
Author(s):  
Richard P. Marini ◽  
James R. Schupp ◽  
Tara Auxt Baugher ◽  
Robert Crassweller
Keyword(s):  
Size Distribution ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Apple Fruit ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Full Bloom ◽  
Actual Distribution ◽  
Early Season ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Fruit Diameter

In three experiments, diameters of apples representing 7% to 30% of the fruit on a tree were measured at ≈60 days after full bloom. Using previously published regression equations, the early-season fruit diameter values were used to estimate apple fruit weight at harvest (FWH). At harvest, all fruit on sample trees were weighed and the distributions of estimated FWH for fruit measured early in the season were compared with distributions of the actual FWH for whole trees. Actual FWH was normally distributed for only one of the three experiments. Although the estimated mean FWH averaged for the 10 trees was within 9% of the actual mean FWH for all three experiments, the distribution of estimated FWH differed significantly from the actual distribution for all three experiments. All fruit were then assigned to appropriate commercial fruit sizes or box counts (number of fruit/19.05 kg). Fruit size tended to peak on the same four box counts for the estimated and actual populations, but the estimated populations had too few fruits in the small- and large-size box counts. Using early-season estimates of FWH, commercial apple growers and packers can predict fairly accurately the percentage of the crop that will fall into the peak box counts, but a more accurate early-season estimate of the fruit size distribution will likely require measuring 50% of the fruit on a tree.

scholarly journals Use of Preference Testing to Identify Tolerance Limits for Fruit Visual Attributes in Apple Breeding

HortScience ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 921-924 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.R. Hampson ◽  
H.A. Quamme
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Size ◽  
Fruit Shape ◽  
Tolerance Limits ◽  
Preference Testing ◽  
Visual Attributes ◽  
Consumer Population ◽  
Regional Population ◽  
Target Consumer ◽  
Size Preference ◽  
Fruit Diameter

Sensory evaluation methods were used to establish tentative guidelines for screening apple (Malus ×domestica Borkh.) breeding selections for four visual attributes. A panel of 42 regional consumers rated sample selections for fruit size on the 7-point “Just Right” (JR) scale, for fruit shape on a 7-point hedonic (liking) scale, and for the appearance of lenticels and stem bowl russet (SBR) on a 7-point affective (acceptability) scale. The panel most preferred a fruit about 7.5 cm in diameter. No evidence was found for range bias or for differences between yellow and red apples in size preference. Women and panelists over 55 years of age tended to prefer a slightly smaller apple. Panelists liked all the most common apple shapes. Lenticels generally became unacceptable when they exceeded 1.0 mm in diameter, but lenticel density was not related to acceptability. For red or yellow apples, SBR was acceptable on average, provided its maximum extent did not exceed about 55% of the fruit diameter. The panel's tolerance to SBR resembled that of a larger regional population, and their fruit size preferences resembled those reported elsewhere for European consumers. Similar methods could be used by other breeders to assess the preferences of their target consumer population.

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