SW MICHIGAN APPLE MATURITY REPORT

ISSUE 6– October 9, 2007

Note: This is the last apple maturity report for the 2007 season from SW Michigan.

No more sampling of the following varieties: Jonathan, Empire, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious. Most Golden Delicious and Red Delicious will be harvested from area farms by the end of this week.

IdaRed (3 samples, 3rd week). Firmness averaged 15, about the same as last week. Starch conversion index averages is 4.5 compared 4 for last week, with brix of 13.1 compared to 12.5 of last week.

Fuji (5 samples, 3rd week). Looking at the standard Fujis (early type Fujis were not included in these samples) fruit firmness averaged 16.8 versus 17.6 lb for last week, starch conversion tested 4.8 quite a bit higher than last weeks 3.7, and brix was 15.2 compared to 14.6 for last week. Fuji are testing in the long term CA zone for firmness with starch removal in the mature zone. Color is still poor on standard Fujis. Good firmness will allow delay of harvest in most orchards to wait for starch conversion, better size, and better skin color. However, since fruit starch removal is in the mature zone, harvesting could proceed. Hot weather is slowing red skin development.

Braeburn (3 samples, 3rd week). Firmness averaged 20.5 compared to 22.7 lb for last week, starch conversion 4.0, significantly higher than 3.3 for last week, and brix of 13, about the same of last week. Excellent firmness will allow delay of harvest to wait for better size and better skin color.

Current and past years summaries can be found on the SW Michigan Research and Extension Center web site: www.maes.msu.edu/swmrec. At this site click on publications and then fruit reports. Reports for all the apple producing regions of Michigan can be found by going to the following web site: web1.msue.msu.edu/fruit/ripeapple.htm.

The focus of this series of reports is on timing of harvest for controlled atmosphere storage of fruit. Fruit harvested for more immediate consumption can be picked riper for better color, size, and flavor. The samples for these reports are collected in Berrien County—the maturity is only a broad indication of trends for this area. Contact Bill Shane at SWMREC 269-944-1477 x 205 for more details.

This report and project is made possible by the support of our sponsors which include Gerber Products Company, Valent USA, Michigan Apple Research Committee, Michigan State Horticultural Society, Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, and Michigan State University Extension. SW growers providing apples include Grandview Orchards, Mammoth Farms, Oak Hill, Bixby Orchards, Willmeng Farms, and Czuba Farms.