MSU Fruit Team Apple Maturity Report 2006

Grand Rapids Area Report Number 5

October 4, 2006

 

This program is made possible by the support of our sponsors which include:

 

Gerber Products                   Michigan Apple Research Committee

Valent USA                             Michigan State Horticulture Society

MSU Extension                  Michigan Agriculture Experiment Station

Project GREEEN

 

Overview

Temperatures have been about average to slightly above average, over the past week with quite a few rainy – very rainy – days, which has everyone scrambling to keep up now. Some of the storms that moved through the area had high winds and some hail. With all the rainfall – 3 inches or more in some locations – fruit should become much looser on trees.

 

Empire

Last week was a big week for Empire and all but those left for U-pick are finished with harvest. Any Empires picked yet this week will good for short-term storage.

 

Jonagold

Ethylene levels have continued to increase and color was good in the latest samples. Most Jonagold harvest is complete and any last harvest this week will only be good for short-term storage.

 

Jonathan

Firmness is still excellent – averaging about 13 to 17 pounds pressure – and similar to last week. Color is excellent. Most Jonathan harvest is complete now and any fruit left hanging will only be good for short-term storage.

 

Golden Delicious

Ethylene levels are up from last week’s samples. Firmness is averaging 14 to 15 pounds pressure. Starch clearing is higher this week and brix levels are at 13 to 16 %. Goldens are leaving the window for long-term storage and quickly moving into a mid-term storage window.

 

Red Delicious

Ethylene levels have shown a slight increase over last week. Readings on the starch index have made some movement towards mature fruit. Brix levels have improved a bit at 12 to 13%. Most Red Delicious strains are in the long-term storage window right now and will move into a mid-term storage window early next week.

 

Rome

Ethylene levels are still low, but have shown some increases from last week’s samples. Red color is good to excellent at 95 % red color. Firmness is still excellent at 17 – 20 pounds pressure. Starch index reading are between 4 and 5 – up a bit from last week. Brix levels are at 13 and still could be a bit better. Romes are moving into the window for long-term storage.

 

Ida Red

Ethylene levels are still higher than expected for this time of the season. Firmness is excellent; starch clearing hasn’t changed much and is still at 2 to 3 on average. Brix are good to excellent. Ida Red will most likely be ready for long-term storage by the beginning to middle of next week.

 

Mutsu

Are still immature with firmness between 16 and 18 pounds; starch removal at 2 to 3; low ethylene production and good brix levels. Mutsus for processing could be harvested at anytime, but it’s still a bit early.

 

Fuji and Winesap

Initial sampling shows these varieties to still be immature.

 

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If you have an Email address, we would prefer to deliver this to you by Email. Please fax or

send your email address to us at:             irisha@msu.edu            Fax: 616-693-2317

 

This report will also be posted on the web at:   www.msue.msu.edu/clarksville

Click on the Apple Maturity link on the left side of the page.

 

It will also be posted at: http://web1.msue.msu.edu/fruit/ripeapple.htm

Here, you will also find apple harvest reports from other regions around the state as well as

some definitions of the terms used in apple maturity reporting.

 

Phil Schwallier, Amy Irish-Brown, Denise Ruwersma