TREE AGE EFFECT ON FRUIT PHYSICAL, BIOCHEMICAL AND ANTIOXIDATIVE ATTREIBUTES OF “RED DELICIOUS” APPLE

Abstract

Tree age is an important factor that affects the quality of different fruits including apples. This research plan was carried out to explore the impact of tree age on ‘Red Delicious’ apple fruit. Physiological mature apple fruits of different tree age groups (5-6 years, 10-11 years, and 16 -17 years) plants were harvested from District Ziarat Balochistan. The harvested fruit of various age groups plants were evaluated for physical quality attributes (fruit color, firmness, weight, peel thickness, length, width, no of seeds), biochemical characteristics [TSS (Brix), TA (%), Vitamin C (mg/100g juice)], organoleptic and anti-oxidative parameter. In addition to the fruit study, the leaf samples of selected plants and soil samples also were investigated for physical and chemical attributes. The result showed that highest fruit peel thickness (1.28 mm), fruit length (7.33 cm), fruit width (5.97 cm), fruit volume (3.14 cm³), and No. of seed (5.30) were recorded in fruit of 16-17 years plant. However, highest fruit weight (230 g) was found in 10-11 years of age apple plants. In biochemical characteristics, high vitamin C (38.78 mg/100g juice), and juice pH values (4.85) were found in 5-6 years apple plant. While maximum TA (0.26 %) and TSS/TA ratio (126.81) was recorded in the 10-11year age plant. However, the highest TSS value (27.05) Brix was recorded in the 16–17-year age plant. In anti-oxidative parameter, the highest TPC (4.29 u/mg protein), anthocyanin, CAT ( 254.25 u/mg protein) , and POD (52.42 u/mg protein) were recorded in 16–17-year age plant. However highest SOD values (95.12 u/mg protein) were recorded in 5-6 years age plant.