MSU Fruit Team Apple Maturity Report - 2006
Northwest Region

Jim Nugent, Dist. Horticulture Agent
Nikki Rothwell, Dist Fruit IPM Agent
Bill Klein, Farm Manager
Jim Bardenhagen, Leelanau Cty Extension Director

NW MICHIGAN APPLE MATURITY REPORT #5
October 4, 2006

2006 Predicted Harvest Dates

This year the NWMHRS will again be testing apples for maturity. Results will be sent via fax and email to past apple maturity list subscribers and results will be put on the pome fruit section of the code-a-phone (947-3063). The maturity newsletter and code-a-phone will be updated weekly on Wednesdays. If you have not received this information in the past and wish to subscribe to the list, please contact the NWMHRS (946-1510 or nwmihort@msu.edu). 

General Comments - If growers are interested in having fruit tested for maturity, a 10 to 12 apple sample should be dropped off at the NW Station on Mondays, if possible. The fruit should be picked randomly from the outside portion of the trees and should be large in size, free of blemishes, and with the stem attached. We are entering the crunch time for apple harvest with many varieties beginning to mature at once. This is common and generally happens about the time that Empire is about mid way through harvest.

Gala - Over mature (4 samples). Firmness is averaging 19.6 lbs., down 1 lb. from last week. Starch index is at 5.4, up from 3.1 and brix levels are at 14.2. Color is excellent at 95%. All four of the samples were waxy.

Golden Delicious - Mature (3 samples). Firmness is at 17.5 lbs., down about 0.5 lbs. from last week. Starch index is at 4.5, up from 2.8. Brix level is 15.7. Blush ranges from 15 to 30%. The samples tested are ready for long term CA Storage.

Empire - Mature (1 sample). Firmness is at 17.5 lbs. and starch index at 3.9. Color is excellent at 86% and the brix level is 15.7. Harvest is nearing completion.

Jonagold - Mature to over mature (3 samples). Firmness is at 18.3 lbs. and starch index at 6.4, up from 5.5 last week. Brix level is 16.4. Color is excellent on red strains and only fair on standard strains. Well colored Jonagold are ready for harvest.

IdaRed - Immature (3 samples). Firmness is at 17.3 lbs. and starch index at 2.4. Brix level is 12.7. Color on all three samples is excellent around 80%.

Red Delicious - Entering mature range (3 samples). Firmness is at 19.8 lbs. and starch index at 2.9. Brix level is 13.2. Two of the three samples are ready for long term CA storage.

Rome - Entering mature range (3 samples). Firmness is at 22 lbs. and starch index at 3.2. Brix level is 13.0 and color is 100%. Many of the sampled fruit had color beginning to bleed into the flesh.

Northern Spy - Immature (3 samples). Firmness is at 20.6 lbs. and starch index at 2.4. Brix level is 13.0 and red color ranges between 25 and 70% with no change in background color.

Southwest - No report available as of this time.
Southeast - No report available as of this time.
Ridge / Clarksville - No report available as of this time.
Mason / Oceana / Manistee - No report available as of this time.

This report is sponsored by:
Gerber Products
Valent USA 
Project GREEEN  
Michigan State Horticulture Society
Michigan Apple Research Committee
MSU Extension
Michigan Agricultual Experiment Station

Current pricing information can be obtained at the following web sites:
www.ams.usda.gov/marketnews.htm
www.bhfm.com

Maturity Reports from other Regions

NW Michigan Pome Fruit Code-a-phone/Apple Maturity Line (231) 947-3063.

Please send any comments or suggestions regarding this site to:
Bill Klein, kleinw@msu.edu

Last Revised: 10-4-06