Dissertation (PhD (Agric))--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Leaf blackening is a particular problem limiting vase life and marketability of Protea cut flowers. This research investigated suppression of Protea leaf blackening with a specific focus on Protea cv. Sylvia (P. eximia x P. susannae) cut flowers. Leaf blackening decreased significantly with decreasing storage temperatures m 'Sylvia' proteas and this was attributed to lower respiration rate and conservation of carbohydrate. Low storage temperatures were beneficial in short term handling procedures encountered during airfreight. However, use of low temperatures alone during the longer sea freight period was unsatisfactory in either maintaining or extending 'Sylvia' protea vase life. Cooling of 'Sylvia' proteas under vacuum significantly suppressed leaf blackening and was of greater benefit than forced air cooling. Although removal of the uppermost leaves delayed leaf blackening in short term storage no significant benefit was found for longer storage periods. Girdling directly beneath the 'Sylvia' protea flowerhead significantly reduced leaf blackening and in combination with low storage temperatures (O°C) enabled a significant extension in both storage and vase life of 'Sylvia' proteas. 'Sylvia' proteas did not exhibit a climacteric respiration peak during 96 h storage at O°C. Exposure to ethylene did not increase Protea leaf blackening or have a detrimental effect on vase life of either proteas or pincushions evaluated. No beneficial response to sucrose supplementation was found in 'Sylvia' proteas. Analysis of the sugar content of both flowerhead and leaves indicated that glucose supplementation might be of benefit and was investigated. Holding solutions of 2.5 % glucose significantly extended vase life due to a significant reduction in leaf blackening. Vase life was terminated due to flowerhead collapse instead of leaf blackening for the first time in 'Sylvia' protea cut flowers. Vase life was significantly extended by 2:3% glucose pulse solutions and leaf blackening significantly suppressed with increasing glucose pulse concentration. Solution uptake was facilitated by use of high intensity PAR lights in the early morning and was attributed to increased stomata opening and a consequent increase in both transpiration and glucose solution uptake. The faster uptake of glucose solutions in shoots harvested in the afternoon was attributed to higher shoot temperatures and consequent transpiration rate to those harvested in the morning. There was a significant reduction in uptake time with increasing pulse temperature, which enabled vacuum cooling to be performed earlier further benefiting storage and vase life extension. Enclosure of 'Sylvia' proteas in polyethylene (PE) lined cartons did suppress leaf blackening in non-pulsed shoots. However, this had no practical significance on useful vase life, which was terminated at this point due to excessive leaf blackening. Water loss appears to have a minimal influence on 'Sylvia' protea leaf blackening. Shading at four and three weeks prior to harvest coincided with a period of significant flowerhead dry mass increase. It is thought that shading at this point, concurrent with an increased carbohydrate demand by the developing flower head resulted in a temporary limitation in carbohydrate supply resulting in the appearance of preharvest leaf blackening. It would appear that proteas do not store large quantities of carbohydrate. Although accentuating winter light conditions by shading did result in a decrease in carbohydrate content the fact that carbohydrate content was already low precluded shading from having a significant impact on postharvest leaf blackening. The finding that glucose was beneficial in extension of both storage and vase life of 'Sylvia' proteas directed research into its use for other Protea and Leucospermum cut flowers. Significant differences in the response to glucose supplementation were found in both Protea and Leucospermum (pincushions). The significant difference in sensitivity to glucose concentration in 'Pink Ice' proteas (phytotoxic at 2:4%) and 'Susara' proteas (no apparent toxicity), in conjunction with a lack of response in 'Cardinal' proteas, a hybrid from the same parents as 'Sylvia' indicates the need to direct future research to individual cultivars. Glucose supplementation had no beneficial effect on vase life of 'Scarlet Ribbon' and 'Tango' pincushions, whilst significantly extending vase life of 'Cordi', 'Gold Dust', 'High Gold' and 'Succession' pincushions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Blaarverswarting is 'n spesifieke probleem wat die vaasleeftyd en die bemarkbaarheid van Protea snyblomme beperk. In hierdie navorsing is ondersoek ingestel na die onderdrukking van Protea blaarverswarting met spesifieke fokus op die snyblomme van die kv. Sylvia (P. eximia x P. susannae). Die voorkoms van blaarverswarting by 'Sylvia' het merkbaar afgeneem tydens die verlaging van bergingstemperature. Hierdie afname is toegeskryf aan 'n laer respirasietempo en die behoud van koolhidrate. Lae bergingstemperature in die korttermyn hantering van die produk tydens lugvrag was voordelig. Die gebruik van lae temperature, slegs tydens die langer verskeepingsperiode, was egter onbevredigend vir vaasleeftyd verlenging en onderhoud van 'Sylvia' protea. Die afkoeling van 'Sylvia' proteas onder vakuum het blaarverswarting in 'n groot mate onderdruk en het beter resultate gelewer as geforseerde lugverkoeling. Alhoewel die verwydering van die heel boonste blare blaarverswarting by korttermynopberging vertraag het, het dit geen merkbare voordele vir langer bergingsperiodes ingehou nie. Ringelering direk onder die blomkop van die 'Sylvia' protea het blaarverswarting aansienlik verminder, en saam met lae bergingstemperature (O°C) het dit 'n merkbare verlenging in beide die bergingstyd en die vaasleeftyd van 'Sylvia' proteas teweeggebring. 'Sylvia' proteas het geen klimakteriese respirasiekruin tydens 'n bergingsperiode van 96 uur teen O°C getoon nie. Blootstelling aan etileen het nie die Protea blaarverswarting laat toeneem of 'n nadelige effek op die vaasleeftyd van die proteas of speldekussings wat geevalueer is, gehad nie. Geen voordelige reaksie op sukrose-byvoeging is in 'Sylvia' proteas gevind nie. 'n Analise van die suikerinhoud van beide die blomkoppe en die blare het aangetoon dat 'n glukose-byvoeging moontlik voordelig kon wees, en hierdie aspek is ondersoek. Met stooroplossings van 2,5 % glukose is die vaasleeftyd aansienlik verleng omdat daar 'n merkbare afname in blaarverswarting was. Vir die eerste keer in die geval van die 'Sylvia' protea, het die vaasleeftyd van die snyblomrne tot 'n einde gekom omdat die blornkoppe uitmekaar gebreek het en nie omdat blaarverswarting ingetree het nie. Die vaasleeftyd is aansienlik verleng met ~ 3% glukose-pulsoplossings, en blaarverswarting is merkbaar onderdruk met die verhoging van hierdie oplossings se glukosekonsentrasie. Die opname van die oplossings is gefasiliteer deur hoe intensiteit PAR (fotosinteties-aktiewe radiasie) ligte vroeg in die oggend, en is toegeskryf daaraan dat meer huidmondjies oopgegaan het. Dit het gelei tot 'n toename in transpirasie en 'n toename in die opname van die glukose-oplossing. Die feit dat glukose-oplossings vinniger opgeneem is deur lote wat in die middag geoes is, is toegeskryf daaraan dat loottemperature dan hoer is as soggens en gevolglik lei tot 'n vinniger transpirasietempo. Daar was 'n merkbare afname in die opnametyd wanneer die temperatuur van die pulsoplossings verhoog is. Vakuumafkoeling kon dus vroeer toegepas word, wat 'n verlenging in bergingstyd en vaasleeftyd tot gevolg gehad het. Verpakking van 'Sylvia' proteas in kartonne wat met poli-etileen uitgevoer is, het blaarverswarting van lote wat nie aan pulsering onderwerp is nie, onderdruk. Hierdie maatreel het egter geen praktiese waarde met betrekking tot vaasleeftyd nie; die vaasleeftyd het tot 'n einde gekom as gevolg van omvangryke blaarverswarting. Dit lyk asof waterverlies weinig invloed het op die blaarverswarting van' Sylvia' proteas. Die vermoede bestaan dat lae koolhidraatvlakke proteas ontvanklik maak vir blaarverswarting. Alhoewel die beklemtoning van winterligtoestande deur beskaduwing gelei het tot 'n afname in koolhidraatinhoud, was hierdie inhoud reeds laag en blaarverswarting na die oes is nie beinvloed nie. Beskaduwing tydens die vier en drie weke voor oestyd het saamgeval met 'n tydperk van aansienlike toename in die droe massa van die blomkop. Die vermoede bestaan dat beskaduwing tydens hierdie fase, saam met die toename in die ontwikkelende blomkop se behoefte aan koolhidrate, aanleiding gegee het tot 'n tydelike beperking in koolhidraatvoorraad wat die voorkoms van blaarverswarting voor die oes tot gevolg gehad het. Die bevinding dat glukose voordelig is vir die verlenging van beide die bergingstyd en die vaasleeftyd van 'Sylvia' proteas het die navorsing gerig om ook ondersoek in te stel na die gebruik daarvan vir ander Protea en Leucospermum snyblomme. Merkbare veranderinge is gevind in die reaksie op glukosebyvoegings in beide Protea en Leucospermum (speldekussings). Die opmerklike verskil in sensitiwiteit vir glukosekonsentrasie in 'Pink Ice' proteas (fitotoksies by ~ 4%) en 'Susara' proteas (geen klaarblyklike toksisiteit), saam met 'n gebrek aan reaksie by 'Cardinal' proteas, 'n hibried van dieselfde ouers as 'Sylvia', dui aan dat verdere navorsing op individuele kultivars toegespits sal rnoet word. Glukosebyvoegings het geen voordelige uitwerking op die vaasleeftyd van 'Scarlet Ribbon' en 'Tango' speldekussings gehad nie, terwyl dit die vaasleeftyd van 'Cordi', 'Gold Dust', 'High Gold' en 'Succession' speldekussingkultivars merkbaar verIeng het.

Thesis (PhD(Agric)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The bright colouration of involucral leaves in Leucadendron is unfortunately transient in nature. Undesirable colour changes render this cut flower unmarketable, resulting in a considerable loss of profit. A deeper understanding of the mechanism leading to colour change is needed to form the framework on which future manipulation strategies can be built. Yellow Leucadendron possess the ability to degreen and regreen naturally, a phenomenon linked to the controlled degradation of chlorophyll and the lesser degradation of carotenoids, which then impart the yellow colour. This colour change is directly linked to the development of the inflorescence. Involucral leaves degreen towards anthesis and are entirely yellow at full bloom. They begin to regreen again when the last florets on the cone have wilted. Deconing before flowering completely inhibits the colour change. Deconing at full bloom, results in leaves regreening sooner. Therefore the inflorescence appears to be the origin of the cue for colour change. Any factor that expedites the death of the florets, results in sooner regreening of involucral leaves. Ultra-structurally, the degreening and regreening resulted from a transdifferentiation of mature chloroplasts to gerontoplast-like plastids, which upon regreening completely redifferentiated into fully functional chloroplasts. In the red Leucadendron cultivar Safari Sunset, the photosynthetic pigment degradation pattern is identical to that of yellow cultivars. However, colour expression is complexed by the presence of anthocyanins. Anthocyanin concentration was shown to be directly related to the opening of the flower head rather than to the phenological development of the inflorescence. With opening, the previously shaded inner involucral leaf surfaces are exposed to higher levels of irradiance and respond by turning red, presumably for photoprotection. Similar to yellow cultivars, any factor leading to the death of the florets before flowering, not only prevents the degreening of involucral leaves, but also prevents the opening of the flower head and therefore the associated change in anthocyanin levels. The ecological significance of regreening was also investigated. What does a female Leucadendron plant stand to gain by regreening rather than discarding the involucral leaves? Regreened involucral leaves were shown not to play a significant role in providing photosynthates for the developing cone. Although the presence of regreened involucral leaves were shown to provide protection against high irradiance and radiant heating of the cone, they were not essential to ensure survival of the cone. The small floral bracts were shown to be very capable of adaptation. The most plausible reason for regreening is therefore assumed to be based on a cost-benefit relationship. As most Leucadendron are adapted to grow on very nutrient poor soils, the question should maybe be rephrased. Why waste valuable resources? Sclerophyllous leaves, like the involucral leaves, are costly to make and therefore reusing, rather than discarding them does seem a sensible strategy for survival. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Leucadendron snyblomme word gekenmerk deur die helder kleure van hul omwindselblare. Die helder kleure is egter slegs vir 'n kort periode aanwesig waarna die snyblomme onbemarkbaar word, met aansienlike verlies aan potensiele inkomste. Die ontwikkeling van manipulasies ten einde die bemarkbare periode van Leucadendron te verleng, berus op die verkryging van 'n dieper insig in die meganisme van kleurverandering. Die kleurveranderinge van geel Leucadendron omwindselblare is te wyte aan 'n unieke vermoë tot die gereguleerde degradasie en heropbou van chlorofiele en karotenoiede onder direkte beheer van die ontwikkelende bloeiwyse. Met die aanvang van blom, lei groter proporsionele degradasie van chlorofiele tot geleidelike vergeling van omwindselblare. Die hele blomhofie verkry uiteindelik met volblom 'n helder geel kleur. Sodra die laaste blommetjies doodgaan, neem chlorofiel- en karotenoiedsintese weer in aanvang en binnekort is die omwindselblare weer net so groen soos voor die aanvang van blom. Die geel verkleuring kan verhoed word deur die keël voor blom uit te breek. Enige faktor wat die dood van die blommetjies versnel, asook die uitbreek van keël tydens volblom, lei tot die vroeëre aanvang van vergroening. Die degradasie van plastiedpigmente hang nou saam met die differensiasie van volwasse chloroplaste tot gerontoplast-agtige plastiede wat op hul beurt weer tydens vergroening tot volkome funksionele chloroplaste herdifferensieer. Soortgelyk aan geel Leucadendron kultivars, vind die veranderinge in plastiedpigmente ook plaas tydens blom van die rooi kultivar, Safari Sunset. Kleurveranderinge in 'Safari Sunset' is egter meer ingewikkeld vanweë die aanwesigheid van variërende konsentrasies antosianiene. Antosianienkonsentrasies en rooi kleur neem toe tydens blom vanwee die blootstelling van die beskutte adaksiale binnekante van omwindselblare aan hoe irradiasie met die oopvou van die blomhofie. Die akkumulasie van antosianiene het moontlik 'n fotobeskermende funksie. Kleurveranderinge in 'Safari Sunset' kan, soos in geel kultivars, voorkom word deur blom te verhoed. Antosianiensintese word voorkom deurdat die blomhofie geslote bly en is nie direk gekoppel aan blom soos wat met plastiedpigmente die geval is nie. Die belang van vergroening is ondersoek na aanleiding van die vraag oor wat dit 'n vroulike Leucadendron baat om omwindselblare te behou na die afloop van blom? Die bydrae van foto-assimilasie deur omwindselblare tot die ontwikkeling van keels is beperk. Alhoewel omwindselblare wel keels teen hoe irradiasie en stralingsverhitting beskerm, is die blomskutblare in staat om aan te pas by hierdie kondisies. Die mees waarskynlike verklaring vir die behoud van die omwindselblare na blom berus moontlik op 'n koste-voordele verwantskap. Alhoewel nie essensieel nie, is die beperkte bydrae van die omwindselblare na die afloop van blom tot die oorlewing en welstand van die keel waarskynlik genoegsaam om hul behoud te regverdig. Verskeie Leucadendron spesies groei in gronde wat baie arm is aan nutriente. Sklerefiele blare, soos die van Leucadendron, is verder duur om te vervaardig. Dit maak dus sin om hulle vir meer as een funksie te herontplooi eerder as om hulpbronne te belê in meer gespesialiseerde en minder durende blombykomstighede. Dus dui die behoud van omwindselblare dalk op 'n strategie wat gemik is op die behoud en besparing van beperkte hulpbronne.

Thesis (PhD(Agric) (Horticulture))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / Includes bibliography. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Mealiness, a soft, dry textural disorder of ‘Forelle’ pear (Pyrus communis L.), is a problem for the South African fruit export industry. Soft, dry textural disorders seem to be related to changes in cell wall breakdown. The aim of this work was, therefore, to investigate the occurrence of mealiness‐associated changes in the cell wall and elucidate the mechanism by which mealiness occurs in ‘Forelle’ pear, as well as to characterise cell wall changes occurring during normal ripening. Mealy ‘Forelle’ tissues had significantly lower total galacturonic acids associated with the middle lamella (water‐ and CDTA‐soluble fractions). The water‐soluble pectin of mealy tissues was depolymerised at an earlier stage of ripening. The widespread disintegration of cell‐to‐cell adhesion in mealy cell walls only, suggests that the middle lamella and the plasmodesmata are more broken down. In mealy ‘Forelle’ tissues there was no indication of less broken down high molecular weight polyuronides in the CDTA fraction, normally associated with these dry, soft textures. The pectins from mealy tissues were more broken down and both mealy and non‐mealy tissue polyuronides depolymerised. Furthermore, there was a lack of light toluidine staining in the larger air spaces, which would indicate such water‐insoluble pectins. These data suggest that the formation of high molecular weight pectate gels is unlikely in mealy ‘Forelle’ pear. The slight increase in the galactose content in mealy tissues in CDTA‐ and Na2CO3‐soluble fractions and slight decrease in the 1 M KOH glycan fraction during later stages of ripening (6+11, 9+7, 9+11; weeks at ‐0.5°C plus days at 15°C) may indicate that galactose loosely interlinked into the glycan fraction broke down sooner for mealy tissues. This didn’t increase molecular size profiles in the CDTA fraction. Arabinose content was slightly higher in the 4 M KOH fraction and slightly lower in mealy tissues of water‐ and CDTA fractions. This did not influence the molecular weight of the glycans compared to those in the nonmealy tissues. ‘Forelle’ data therefore seem to be more congruent with a decrease in intercellular adhesion as the mechanism by which mealiness occurs, rather than the formation of high molecular weight pectins taking up the cellular fluid. ‘Forelle’ pear water‐soluble pectin content increases with increased ripening. High amounts of watersoluble pectin and low amounts of Na2CO3‐soluble pectin suggests that solubilisation of rhamnogalacturonan‐I pectins must have taken place during early ripening (at a fruit firmness of > 4.7 kg (7.9mm tip). Galactose and glucose in the pectin fraction dramatically decreased after fruit ripened to a firmness of 4.5 kg, whereafter they remained unchanged. This was also the period in which fruit softened the most and the biggest increase in pectin water‐solubility occurred. It is not known whether these events are coincidental, or linked causally. Rhamnose and arabinose extractability increased in the water fraction and xylose, fucose and mannose increased in glycan fractions with ripening. The biggest changes in polyuronide solubilisation and depolymerisation occurred in water‐ and CDTA fractions between storage and ripening durations of 3+7 (4.7 kg) and 6+4 (2.7 kg). / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Melerigheid, ʼn sagte droë tekstuur afwyking van ‘Forelle’ pere (Pyrus communis L.), is ʼn probleem vir die Suid Afrikaanse vrugte uitvoerbedryf. Sagte, droë tekstuur afwykings blyk betrekking te hê op selwandafbraak veranderinge. Die doel van die studie was dus om die melerigheid‐geassosieerde veranderinge in die selwand te ondersoek, sowel as om vas te stel wat die meganisme betrokke is by melerigheid ontwikkeling in ‘Forelle’ pere. Die selwand veranderinge gedurende normale rypwording is ook gekarakteriseer. Melerige ‘Forelle’ weefsel het betekenisvol laer totale galakturoonsuur wat geassosieer is met die middellamella (water‐ en CDTA‐oplosbare fraksies). Die water‐oplosbare pektien van melerige weefsel was op ʼn vroeër stadium van rypwording gedepolimeriseer. Die wydverspreide disintegrasie van sel‐tot‐sel adhesie, slegs in melerige selwande, dui aan dat die middellamella en die plasmodesmata meer afgebreek is. Daar is geen indikasie van hoë molekulêre massa poliuroniedes in die CDTA fraksie van melerige ‘Forelle’ weefsel, wat gewoonlik geassosieer word met droë, sagte teksture nie. Die pektiene van melerige weefsel was meer afgebreek en melerige en nie‐melerige weefsel se poliurone was gedepolimeriseer. Daar was ook geen ligte toluïdien verkleuring in die groter intersellulêre lugruimtes nie, wat ʼn aanduiding sou wees van wateronoplosbare pektiene. Hierdie data dui dus aan dat die vorming van hoë molekulêre pektien jel in melerige ‘Forelle’ pere onwaarskynlik is. Die klein toename in galaktose inhoud in die CDTA‐ en Na2CO3‐ oplosbare fraksies en ʼn klein afname in 1 M KOH glikaan fraksie tydens latere rypheidstadiums (6+11, 9+7, 9+11; weke by ‐0.5°C plus dae by 15°C), kan beteken dat los verweefde galaktose in die glikaan fraksie vroeër afgebreek het in melerige weefsels. Die molekulêre grootte profiel is nie verander in die CDTA fraksie nie. Arabinose inhoud was bietjie hoër in die 4 M KOH fraksie en bietjie laer in melerige weefsel van die water‐ en CDTA fraksies. Die molekulêre massa van die glikane was klaarblyklik onbeïnvloed hierdeur. ‘Forelle’ data blyk dus meer saam te stem met die meganisme waar ʼn vermindering in intersellulêre adhesie ʼn rol speel in melerigheid, eerder as die meganisme waar hoë molekulêre pektien selvloeistowwe bind. ‘Forelle’ peer water‐oplosbare pektieninhoud neem toe met toenemende rypheid. Hoë vlakke wateroplosbare pektien en lae vlakke Na2CO3‐oplosbare pektien stel voor dat die oplossing van rhamnogalakturonan‐I pektiene gedurende vroeë rypwording moes plaasgevind het (by ʼn fermheid van > 4.7 kg (7.9mm punt). Galaktose en glukose in die pektienfraksie het drasties verminder nadat vrugte tot ʼn fermheid van 4.5 kg ryp geword het, waarna hul onveranderd gebly het. Dit was ook die periode waarin vrugte die meeste sag geword het en die grootste toename in poliuronied wateroplosbaarheid gevind is. Dit is nie bekend of die gebeure toevallig of oorsaaklik verbind is nie. Rhamnose en arabinose ekstraheerbaarheid het vermeerder in die water fraksies, en xylose, fukose en mannose het vermeerder in die glikaan fraksies gedurende rypwording. Die grootste verandering in oplosbaarheid en depolimerisasie het plaasgevind in die water‐ en CDTA fraksies tussen opberging en rypwordingsperiodes van 3+7 (4.7 kg) en 6+4 (2.7 kg).

Thesis (PhD(Agric))--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The development and application of science-based tools for determining optimum fruit maturity and postharvest handling protocols to maintain quality and reduce losses during postharvest handling and marketing is essential to maintain the competitiveness of the emerging pomegranate industry in South Africa. Currently, there are no quality standards for the South African pomegranate industry, neither is there a general consensus on the optimal harvest maturity indices for fruit cultivars. These information are important to ensure the delivery of good quality fruit to consumers, particularly for long supply chains. The overall aims of this study were (a) to develop science-based management tools for determining optimum maturity indices and storage performance of pomegranate fruit cultivars grown in South Africa, and (b) to characterise the physico-chemical and pharmacological properties of selected cultivars relevant to postharvest handling and industrial applications. In Section II, seasonal studies on pomegranate (‘Baghwa’ and ‘Ruby’) fruit growth and the evolution of maturity indices during development were conducted. Significant increases in total soluble solids (TSS), sugars (glucose and fructose) and anthocyanin composition, coupled with significant decline in titratable acidity (TA), organic acids and total phenolics (TP) occurred with advancing fruit maturity. Fruit at advanced maturity stages were characterized by intense pigmentation of peel and aril, which coincided with maximum accumulation of anthocyanins. Among all the major maturity indices investigated, TSS, BrimA and anthocyanins did not show significant (p<0.05) seasonal variability, and strong correlations were found among the indices. In combination, these indices accounted for fruit juice sugar content, acidity and colour and could serve as reliable markers to determine optimal maturity for both pomegranate cultivars. The studies in Section III focused on characterization of postharvest quality including nutritional, medicinal and antioxidant properties of fruit parts. Quality attributes of eight commercial cultivars were analysed by cluster analysis, which enabled the cultivars to be separated into two clusters (cluster 1 = ‘Ruby’, ‘Arakta’ and ‘Ganesh’; cluster 2 = ‘Bhagwa’, ‘Acco’ and ‘Herskawitz’) and two ungrouped cultivars (‘Molla de Elche’ and ‘Wonderful’) based on important quality attributes (size, texture, colour, soluble solids, acidity, juiciness and phenolics). Furthermore, pomegranate fruit peel extracts were studied to highlight their potential for value-adding in pharmaceutical and other industrial applications. The results showed that fruit peels of the investigated cultivars possess strong antibacterial, antioxidant and antityrosinase activities, and hence could be exploited as potential sources of natural antimicrobial and antioxidant agents, as well as a potential tyrosinase inhibitor. The research reported in Section IV investigated the effects of harvest maturity and storage conditions on postharvest quality and nutritional value of ‘Bhagwa’ and ‘Ruby’ cultivars. Fruit harvested at commercial maturity were stored at 5±0.3°C, 7±0.5°C and 10±0.4°C with 92±3% RH and at room temperature (20±2.2°C, 65±5.5% RH) for 16 weeks. Fruit physiological responses and quality were affected by storage condition, with the maximum levels of respiration occurring at higher temperature and extended storage duration. Fruit colour and antioxidant capacity varied slightly among storage temperatures, with total soluble solids and titratable acidity decreasing gradually over time at different temperatures. Considering that fruit stored at 5°C and 92% RH had significantly reduced weight loss, low incidence of physiological disorders and best results in maintaining flavour attributes (TSS and TA, TSS:TA ratio), the investigated cultivars may be stored at 5°C and >92% RH for 8 - 12 weeks. In paper 9 (Section IV), the research investigated the relationships between instrumental and sensory measurements of pomegranate fruit at different harvest maturities during storage and shelf life. Mature ‘Bhagwa’ fruit harvested at different times could not be discriminated by sensory attributes assessed by a trained panel. However, TSS (R2 = 0.677) and juice content (R2 = 0.512) were the two most decisive quality attributes at shelf life related to harvest maturity status. For ‘Ruby’, however, a combination of instrumental and sensory attributes appeared to be influential in discriminating mature fruit harvested at different times, with TSS:TA ratio being the most decisive (R2 = 0.654) in distinguishing different fruit harvests, followed by sweet taste (R2 = 0.474) and hue angle (R2 = 0.431). The results showed that to ensure the best post-storage quality of ‘Bhagwa’, the optimum harvest maturity was between 167 - 175 DAFB (H2 and H3) when fruit reached maximum TSS level (>16°Brix; H3) and juice content (>65 mL/100 g aril; H2). However, for ‘Ruby’, this study indicated that the optimum harvest date was at 143 DAFB (H2) when TSS:TA ratio was >55, which coincided with significantly higher sensory rating for sweet taste after shelf life of fruit at H2 than H1 and H3, respectively. The results from this thesis provide new understanding and better insights on fruit characteristics of major pomegranate cultivars grown in South Africa. Overall, the study provides new knowledge on science-based tools for assessing fruit readiness for harvest as well as storage conditions to maintain fruit postharvest quality and reduce losses. It also provides scientific information on phytochemical contents and antioxidant compounds in fruit to promote value-adding of pomegranate as a good raw material with potential applications in health food products and other industrial applications such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING; Die ontwikkeling en toepassing van wetenskapgegronde instrumente vir die bepaling van optimale vrugrypheid en naoes-hanteringsprotokolle om gedurende die naoes-hantering en -bemarking van vrugte gehalte te behou en verliese te verminder, is noodsaaklik om die mededingendheid van die ontluikende granaatbedryf in Suid-Afrika te verseker. Tans is daar nie enige gehaltestandaarde vir die Suid-Afrikaanse granaatbedryf óf algemene eenstemmigheid oor die optimale oesrypheidsaanwysers vir vrugtekultivars nie. Hierdie inligting is belangrik om die naoes-lewering van uithalervrugte aan verbruikers te verseker, veral vir lang verskaffingskettings. Die oorkoepelende doelwitte van hierdie studie was (a) om wetenskapgegronde bestuursinstrumente te ontwikkel vir die vasstelling van optimale rypheidsaanwysers en bergingsprestasie van granaatkultivars wat in Suid-Afrika verbou word, en (b) om die fisiko-chemiese eienskappe en farmakologiese kenmerke van gekose kultivars te tipeer. In deel II is seisoenale studies oor granaatgroei en die ontwikkeling van rypheidsaanwysers gedurende groei onderneem. Namate vrugte ryp geword het, is beduidende toenames in totale oplosbare vaste stowwe (TSS), suikers (glukose en fruktose) en antosianien-samestelling opgemerk, sowel as ’n beduidende afname in titreerbare suur (TA), organiese suur en totale fenol (TP). Vrugte in gevorderde stadia van rypheid is gekenmerk deur intense pigmentasie van die skil en aril, wat met maksimum opbou van antosianien verband gehou het. Van ál die belangrike rypheidsaanwysers wat ondersoek is, het TSS, BrimA en antosianien onbeduidende (p<0.05) seisoenale veranderlikheid getoon, en is sterk verbande tussen die aanwysers opgemerk. Gesamentlik sou die aanwysers kon rekenskap gee van sapsuikerinhoud, -suurgehalte én -kleur, en sou dit dus as betroubare rypheidsmerkers kon dien om optimale rypheid vir albei granaatkultivars te bepaal. Die studies in deel III het gekonsentreer op die tipering van die naoes-kenmerke, onder meer die voedings-, medisinale en antioksidant-kenmerke van vrugtedele. Kenmerke van agt kommersiële kultivars is deur middel van groepsontleding bestudeer, waarvolgens die kultivars op grond van belangrike kenmerke (grootte, tekstuur, kleur, oplosbare vaste stowwe, suurgehalte, sappigheid en fenol) in twee groepe (groep 1 = ‘Ruby’, ‘Arakta’ en ‘Ganesh’; groep 2 = ‘Bhagwa’, ‘Acco’ en ‘Herskawitz’) en twee niegegroepeerde kultivars (‘Molla de Elche’ en ‘Wonderful’) ingedeel is. Ten einde die toegevoegde waarde van granaatskille vir farmaseutiese en kosmetiese doeleindes te bevorder, is skilekstrakte ook bestudeer. Die resultate toon dat die vrugteskille van die bestudeerde kultivars oor sterk antibakteriese, antioksidant- en antitirosinase- eienskappe beskik. Daarom kan die skil van die granaatkultivars as moontlike bron van natuurlike antimikrobiese en antioksidant-agense sowel as ’n moontlike tirosinase-inhibitor ontgin word. Die navorsing in deel IV het ondersoek ingestel na die uitwerking van oesrypheid en bergingsomstandighede op die naoes-gehalte en -voedingswaarde van die kultivars ‘Bhagwa’ en ‘Ruby’. Vrugte wat op kommersiële rypheid geoes is, is vir 16 weke by 5±0.3 °C, 7±0.5 °C en 10±0.4 °C met 92±3% RH, sowel as by kamertemperatuur (20±2.2 °C, 65±5.5% RH) geberg. Die bergingsomstandighede het die fisiologiese reaksies en gehalte van die vrugte beïnvloed: Maksimum vlakke van respirasie het teen hoër temperature en met verlengde berging voorgekom. Die kleur en antioksidantvermoë van die vrugte het effens tussen bergingstemperature verskil, en totale oplosbare vaste stowwe en titreerbare suur het mettertyd geleidelik by verskillende temperature afgeneem. Gedagtig daaraan dat die vrugte wat teen 5 °C en 92% RH geberg is beduidend minder gewigsverlies, ’n lae voorkoms van fisiologiese afwykings en die beste resultate in blywende geurkenmerke (TSS en TA, TSS:TA-verhouding) getoon het, kan die bestudeerde kultivars vir 8 tot 12 weke teen 5 °C en >92% RH geberg word (navorsingstuk 8). In navorsingstuk 9 (deel IV) is daar ondersoek ingestel na die verhouding tussen instrument- en sintuiglike metings van granate in verskillende stadia van oesrypheid gedurende berging en raklewe. Geen verskil in sintuiglike kenmerke kon bespeur word by ryp ‘Bhagwa’- vrugte wat op verskillende tye geoes is nie. Tog was TSS (R2 = 0.677) en sapinhoud (R2 = 0.512) die twee bepalendste gehaltekenmerke wat betref oesrypheidstatus gedurende raklewe. By ‘Ruby’ kon ’n kombinasie van instrument- en sintuiglike kenmerke egter wél tussen stadia van oesrypheid onderskei, met die TSS:TA-verhouding die bepalendste (R2 = 0.654) in die onderskeid tussen verskillende vrugteoeste, gevolg deur ’n soet smaak (R2 = 0.474) en skakeringshoek (R2 = 0.431). Die resultate toon dat die beste nabergingsgehalte vir ‘Bhagwa’ verkry word by ’n optimale oesrypheid van 167–175 DAFB (H2 en H3), wanneer vrugte die maksimum TSS-vlak (>16°Brix; H3) en sapinhoud (>65 mL/100 g aril; H2) bereik het. Vir ‘Ruby’ dui hierdie studie op ’n optimale oesdatum van 143 DAFB (H2) met ’n TSS:TA-verhouding van >55, wat verband gehou het met ’n beduidend hoër telling vir soet smaak by H2 eerder as by H1 en H3 ná raklewe. Die resultate van hierdie tesis bied ’n beter begrip van, en insig in, die vrugtekenmerke van granaatkultivars wat in Suid-Afrika verbou word. Oor die algemeen bied die studie wetenskaplike inligting om moontlik die toegevoegde waarde van granate as ’n goeie bron van minerale elemente sowel as farmaseutiese, kosmetiese en antioksidant-verbindings te bevorder. Dit bied ook kennis oor die ontwikkeling van wetenskapgegronde instrumente vir die vasstelling van optimale vrugrypheid en naoes-hanteringsprotokolle om gedurende die naoes-hantering en -bemarking van granate vruggehalte te behou en verliese te verminder.

Thesis (PhD(Agric))--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to develop non-destructive methods to predict external and internal quality of citrus fruit. A critical review of the literature identified presymptomatic biochemical markers associated with non-chilling rind physiological disorders. The prospects for the use of visible to near infrared spectroscopy (Vis/NIRS) as non-destructive technology to sort affected fruit were also reviewed. Initial studies were conducted to determine the optimum condition for NIRS measurements and to evaluate the accuracy of this technique and associated chemometric analysis. It was found that the emission head spectroscopy in diffuse reflectance mode could predict fruit mass, colour index, total soluble solids, and vitamin C with high accuracy. Vis/NIRS was used to predict postharvest rind physico-chemical properties related to rind quality and susceptibility of ‘Nules Clementine’ to RBD. Partial least squares (PLS) statistics demonstrated that rind colour index, dry matter (DM) content, total carbohydrates, and water loss were predicted accurately. Chemometric analysis showed that optimal PLS model performances for DM, sucrose, glucose, and fructose were obtained using models based on multiple scatter correction (MSC) spectral pre-processing. The critical step in evaluating the feasibility of Vis/NIRS was to test the robustness of the calibration models across orchards from four growing regions in South Africa over two seasons. Studies on the effects of microclimatic conditions predisposing fruit to RBD showed that fruit inside the canopy, especially artificially bagged fruit, had lower DM, higher mass loss, and were more susceptible to RBD. The study suggested that variations in microclimatic conditions between seasons, as well as within the tree canopy, affect the biochemical profile of the rind, which in turn influences fruit response to postharvest stresses associated with senescence and susceptibility to RBD. Principal component analysis (PCA) and PLS discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) models were applied to distinguish between fruit from respectively, inside and outside tree canopy, using Vis/NIRS signal, suggesting the possibility of using this technology to discriminate between fruit based on their susceptibility to RBD. Results from the application of optical coherence tomography (OCT), a novel non-destructive technology for imaging histological changes in biological tissues, showed promise as a potential technique for immediate, real-time acquisition of images of rind anatomical features of citrus fruit. The study also demonstrated the potential of Vis/NIRS as a non-destructive tool for sorting citrus fruit based on external and internal quality. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie het ten doel gestaan om nie-destruktiewe meeting metodes te toets en ontwikkel wat die interne en eksterne-kwaliteit van sitrusvrugte kan voorspel. In ʼn litratuuroorsig is biochemies verandering in die skil en wat geassosieer word met die ontwikkeling van fisiologies skildefekte geïdentifiseer, asook is die moontlikheid ondersoek om Naby Infrarooi spektroskopie (NIRS) as ‘n nie-destruktiewe tegnologie te gebruik om vrugte te sorteer. Eerstens was die optimale toestande waarby NIRS meetings van sitrusvrugte geneem moet word asook die akkuraatheid van die toerusting en chemometrika data-ontleding beproef. Daar is gevind dat die uitstralings-kop spektrofotometer in diffusie-weerkaatsings modus vrugmassa, skilkleur, totale opgeloste stowwe asook vitamien C akkuraat kan voorspel. Daarna van NIRS gebruik om na-oes fisies-chemiese eienskappe wat verband hou met skilkwaliteit en vatbaarheid vir skilafbraak van ‘Nules Clementine’ mandaryn. Deur gebruik te maak van “Partial least squares” (PLS) statistieke was gedemonstreer dat die skilkleur, droë massa (DM), totale koolhidrate en waterverlies akkuraat voorspel kon word. Chemometriese analises het ook getoon dat optimale PLS modelle vir DM, sukrose, glukose en fruktose verkry kan word deur modelle te skep wat gebaseer is op “Multiple scatter correction” (MSC) spektrale voor-verwerking. ʼn Belangrike stap in die ontwikkeling van NIRS gebaseerde indeling is om die robuustheid van die kalibrasiemodelle te toets en was gedoen deur vrugte te meet en sorteer van vier boorde en oor twee seisoene. ʼn Verder eksperiment om die impak van mikroklimaat op die skil se vatbaarheid vir fisiologiese defekte te ontwikkel het getoon dat vrugte wat binne in die blaardak ontwikkel (lae vlakke van sonlig) ʼn laer DM, hoër gewigsverlies het en was ook meer vatbaar vir skilafbraak. Die resultate dui daarop dat verskille in mikroklimaat oor die seisoen asook in die blaardak die skil se biochemiese profiel beïnvloed, wat lei tot ʼn negatiewe reaksie op na-oes stres en verhoogde voorkoms van fisiologiese skilafbraak. Die ontwikkelde “Principal component analysis” (PCA) en PLS-diskriminant analise modelle was daarna suksesvol toegepas om vrugte te skei na NIRS meetings, op die basis van vrugpossies in die blaardak. Nuwe, nie-destruktiewe tegniek, nl. “Optical coherence tomography” (OCT) was suksesvol getoets as manier om ʼn fotografiese beeld te skep van histologiese veranderinge in die skil. Die resultate dui op die potensiaal van die onontginde tegnologie om intak biologiese-materiaal te analiseer. Hierdie studie het getoon dat daar wesenlike potensiaal is om NIRS verder te ontwikkel tot ʼn tegnologie wat gebruik kan word om vrugte te sorteer gebaseer op eksterne (skil) asook interne (pulp) eienskappe

Thesis (MScAgric)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Shrivelling and friction discolouration (FD), as postharvest disorders, negatively influence the marketability and potential shelf life of pears. By investigating the contributing factors in each of the disorders, the potential involvement of handling and storage variables were determined. This allowed for a better understanding of the responsible factors that create susceptible environments for these disorders to occur. From the moment that pears are harvested they lose weight by means of transpiration and, to a lesser extent, respiration. When excessive losses are experienced, the fruit will appear shrivelled and the marketability and shelf life are negatively influenced. By minimizing the rates of weight loss, the occurrence of shrivelling among pears during the postharvest handling can be lessened. The periods that proved to be most conducive to shrivelling (during a simulated postharvest handling duration) were where temperatures above 0 °C were experienced. These short periods proved more perilous for shrivelling than lengthy storage durations at low temperatures. This influenced the transpiration rate in such a way that the driving force accelerated the rate of weight loss in all the cultivars that were studied. Removing field heat from fresh produce and maintaining the cold chain reduces the driving force behind the transpiration of the pears. In all the cultivars studied, ‘Packham’s Triumph’, ‘Beurrè Bosc’ and ‘Forelle’, smaller and less mature fruit were more inclined to appear shrivelled. The surface area to volume ratio is fundamental in determining the rate of weight loss. This was most evident in ‘Beurrè Bosc’. Although no reproducible results could be obtained from the morphological studies, literature has attributed this phenomenon to the composition and quantity of the cuticle layer. Reduction of weight loss was obtained by sealing of the fruit stem. This obstructed water movement from the fruit through the xylem conducting tissue to the surrounding atmosphere. Not only did the stem appear greener and fresher, but less weight loss and subsequent shrivel was noticeable in the treated fruit. This effect was most evident in ‘Packham’s Triumph’ and ‘Beurrè Bosc’, but not in ‘Forelle’. ‘Forelle’ typically has a very short, thin stem in comparison to the other two cultivars.All the cultivars showed visual shrivel symptoms after 11 days at 18 °C. Rate of weight loss was the lowest in ‘Packham’s Triumph’, but due to its prominent dimensions, it appeared shrivelled before any of the other cultivars. ‘Beurrè Bosc’ lost weight at the highest rate (0.42%.day-1). As fruit injury, in the presence of oxygen, is inevitable, the oxidative enzymatic browning of pears will always be troublesome. This defensive mechanism partially prevents the infection of the fruit where epidermal cells are injured. To minimize FD, impact and frictional forces need to be lower during both harvesting and handling practices. A laboratory scale method was developed through which reproduceable treatments could be performed, thereby subjecting the fruit to industry related friction, rather than impact, injury. By assessing the discolouration in terms of both extent and intensity, the influence of variables could be determined on both ‘Packham’s Triumph’ and ‘Doyenne du Comice’ pears. As also found in practice, ‘Doyenne du Comice’ proved to be far more susceptible to FD than ‘Packham’s Triumph’, although the activity of the enzyme, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was found to be higher in the latter. Although no significant difference was found between the FD encountered at fruit temperature of 3 °C and 15 °C, discolouration was greater at the higher temperature. This might be attributed to a greater degree of water loss, lower cell turgidity or higher enzyme activity. Thus, fruit taken from storage and sorted directly thereafter will exhibit less FD. The contribution of condensation forming on the fruit, acting as lubrication, cannot be ignored. Such fruit, with high turgor pressure, might again be more susceptible to bruising which will only be revealed well after the injury. Since enzymes, which include PPO, catalyse biochemical reactions, the availability of sufficient substrate most probably regulates the extent of this biochemical discolouration. Harvesting at optimum maturity and preventing any unnecessary friction will most definitely reduce the occurrence of FD. The ultimate challenge remains to optimize sorting and packing conditions without compromising on fruit quality. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Verrimpeling en friksie verbruining (FV), as na-oes defekte, het ’n negatiewe invloed op die bemarkbaarheid en potensiële raklewe van pere. Hierdie studie het die bydraende faktore vir elkeen van die defekte ondersoek. Daar is gepoog om die effek van verskillende hanteringsen opbergingsmetodes op bogenoemde defekte te bepaal. ‘n Beter begrip is verkry van die oorsaaklike faktore wat bydra tot die ontstaan van die betrokke defekte. Direk na die oes van pere, begin die vrug gewig verloor as gevolg van veral transpirasie. Oormatige verliese sal lei tot ’n vrug wat verrimpeld voorkom, met ‘n negatiewe invloed op die bemarkbaarheid en raklewe daarvan. Die voorkoms van die verrimpeling van pere tydens die na-oes hantering van die vrugte, kan verminder word deur vermindering van die tempo van gewigsverlies. Die periodes waartydens die verrimpeling veral voorgekom het, (soos gevind in ’n gesimuleerde na-oes hanteringsmodel) was wanneer temperature bo 0 °C ondervind is. Sulke kort periodes was meer geneig om aanleiding te gee tot verrimpeling as die verlengde periodes van opberging by lae temperature. Sulke periodes van hoër temperature het gelei tot versnelde transpirasie en ’n versnelde tempo van gewigsverlies in al die kultivars wat ondersoek is. Die transpirasietempo van pere kan verlaag word deur die verwydering van veld-hitte en deur die streng behoud van die koue-ketting. In al die kultivars wat ondersoek is, ‘Packham’s Triumph’, ‘Beurrè Bosc’ en ‘Forelle’, is gevind dat die kleiner en minder volwasse vrugte meer geneig was tot verrimpeling. Die oppervlak area tot volume verhouding is krities in die bepaling van die tempo van gewigsverlies. Hierdie bevinding was die prominentste in ‘Beurrè Bosc’. Alhoewel geen beduidende resultate verkry kon word van die morfologiese studies nie, is daar verskeie verwysings in die literatuur wat hierdie verskynsel toeskryf aan die samestelling en hoeveelheid van die kutikula laag. Vermindering van gewigsverlies is verkry deur verseëling van die vrugtestingel. Hierdie tegniek het gelei tot ’n blokkering van die watervloei van die vrug na die omgewing deur die xileem weefsel. Verseëling van die stingel het dit groener en varser laat voorkom, en het ook ’n merkbare vermindering in gewigsverlies en die daaropvolgende verrimpeling tot gevolg gehad. Die effek van stingel-verseëling was die prominentste in ‘Packham’s Triumph’ en‘Beurrè Bosc’. Dit was minder duidelik in ‘Forelle’ wat tipies gekenmerk word deur ‘n baie korter, dun stingel in vergelyking met die ander twee kultivars. Al die kultivars het makroskopiese verrimpeling getoon na ‘n opbergingperiode van 11 dae by 18 °C. Die tempo van gewigsverlies was die laagste in ‘Packham’s Triumph’ alhoewel dit eerste verrimpeld voorgekom het. Dit kan toegeskryf word aan die spesifieke afmetings van hierdie betrokke kultivar. ‘Beurrè Bosc’ het vinnigste gewig verloor (0.42%.dag-1). Aangesien die besering van vrugte, in die aanwesigheid van suurstof, onvermydelik is, sal oksidatiewe, ensiematiese verbruining van pere altyd problematies wees. Hierdie verdedigingsmeganisme voorkom tot ’n mate die infeksie van die vrug wanneer epidermale selle beskadig word. FV kan beperk word deur die vrugte tydens oes en hanteringsprosedures so min as moontlik bloot te stel aan impak en friksie kragte. ’n Laboratorium-model is ontwikkel ter nabootsing van die omstandighede in die industrie. Die vrugte is aan friksie, eerder as impak, onderwerp, soos ondervind in die industrie. Die omvang asook die intensiteit van die verbruining is gemeet in beide ‘Packham’s Triumph’ en ‘Doyenne du Comice’ pere. Op hierdie wyse kon die invloed van die onderskeie veranderlikes in elke kultivar bepaal word. Alhoewel die ensiematiese aktiwiteit van die polifenol oksidase ensiem (PFO) die hoogste in ‘Packham’s Triumph’ was, is gevind dat ‘Doyenne du Comice’ veel meer geneig was tot FV as ‘Packham’s Triumph’. Hierdie bevinding bevestig die verskynsel soos in die praktyk gevind. Alhoewel geen betekenisvolle verskil gevind is tussen FV by vrug temperatuur van 3 °C en 15 °C nie, was daar meer verbruining by die hoër temperatuur. Hierdie verskynsel kan toegeskryf word aan ’n groter mate van waterverlies, laer sel turgiditeit en hoër ensiem aktiwiteit. Dus sal vrugte wat direk na opberging gesorteer word, minder FV toon. Die bydrae van die kondensasie wat op die vrug vorm, en as ’n smeermiddel dien, kan nie geïgnoreer word nie. Sulke vrugte met hoër turgiditeit, mag egter meer vatbaar wees vir kneusing, wat egter eers ’n geruime tyd na die kneusing tevoorverskyn mag kom. Aangesien ensieme, wat PFO insluit, as katalis dien in biochemiese reaksies, sal die beskikbaarheid van voldoende substraat, na alle waarskynlikheid die omvang van die biochemiese verkleuring reguleer.Die oes van pere tydens optimum volwassenheid, en die voorkoming van onnodige friksie sal definitief die voorkoms van FV verminder. Die uitdaging is steeds om sortering- en verpakkingstegnieke verder te verfyn sonder om ’n negatiewe invloed op vrugtekwaliteit te hê.

Thesis (MScAgric (Horticulture))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Most nectarine orchards in South Africa are currently planted at a distance of 4 x 1.5 m (2 500 trees/ha). These trees are mainly sylleptically trained to a central leader, although many producers also use the proleptic route. The former produces relatively high yields early in the lifetime of the orchard. A problem with nectarine production in South Africa is the lack of efficient rootstocks in terms of aspects such as size-control and the use of nematode-resistant rootstocks. The aim of this study is to evaluate different training systems for nectarine production and to investigate the role of three rootstocks that play a dominant role in the peach industry in South Africa. ‘Alpine’ nectarines were planted in the winter of 2002 at Lushof near Ceres, Western Cape, South Africa (33º18’S, 19º20’E). The trees were trained according to four different training systems: a four-leader system (5 x 3 m; 667 trees/ha), a two-leader system (5 x 1.5 m; 1 333 trees/ha), a proleptically trained central leader (5 x 1 m; 2 000 trees/ha), and a sylleptically trained central leader (5 x 1 m; 2 000 trees/ha). The trees were planted on three different rootstocks: GF 667; SAPO 778; Kakamas seedling. The time spent per tree on pruning, thinning and picking was recorded. During harvest, the number of fruit and fruit mass per tree were recorded. Light measurements were recorded annually after summer pruning. The measurements were taken at different heights and at different depths in the canopy. To compare the training systems on an economic basis, the data from the trial together with projected data gathered from farmers and advisors were used to calculate the net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR) for each training system. The results showed that rootstock only played a significant role when it came to fruit mass (fruit size). Fruit from trees on SAPO 778 were heavier, indicating bigger fruit, than fruit from trees on Kakamas seedling rootstocks and this can play a role in packout percentage and income. In terms of the training system, the four-leader system took the most time to manage per tree. However, this system took the least time to manage per hectare during the initial years. No differences were found between the two central leaders. They both took the longest time to manage per hectare. The four-leader system produced significantly less fruit than any of the other systems during the first two years of production. In the third year of production, there was no significant difference found between the systems. Light penetration seemed to be the poorest at the middle and bottom of the canopy for trees trained to a central leader. Because of the open centre of the four-leader system, light penetration into the middle of these trees was good, but poor light penetration occurred in the upper and outer parts of the canopy underneath the scaffold branches. Poor light penetration occurred in the parts lower than 1.5 m from the ground for all the systems. This was the area that was measured in this study. The result of an economic comparison showed that according to the IRR rating, the fourleader system should be preferred. The final decision should however be made according to the NPV rating. Results obtained from NPV calculations did not lead to the same conclusions as could be made from the IRR calculations. According to the rating of the NPV at five percent discounting rate, the two-leader should be the preferred system, while the proleptically trained central leader system should be preferred at a ten percent discounting rate. This implies that when the opportunity cost is low, the two-leader system should be preferred, and when the opportunity cost is high, the proleptically trained central leader system should be preferred.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Localized calcium (Ca) deficiencies frequently develop independent from total Ca supply and total fruit Ca concentration. Bulk mineral analyses is therefore not completely suitable for determination of the susceptibility of fruit in developing Ca-linked fruit physiological disorders like bitter pit, as it supplies insufficient information regarding the spatial accumulation of Ca within the fruit. Additional Ca is applied either as soil or foliar applications, where soil applications are applied either after fruit set (pre-harvest) or in the period after harvest. The contribution of these different methods of Ca application to the total Ca concentration in "Braeburn" fruit was quantified over three consecutive growing seasons. Foliar applications have been proven to be successful in suppressing bitter pit development and improving the Ca status of the fruit. The effectiveness of different formulations of foliar Ca products in influencing these parameters was also determined. Furthermore, the distribution pattern of fruit Ca resulting from different application strategies was mapped using particle induced X-ray emission technology. In the "Braeburn" trial, mineral analyses indicated no significant differences between treatments in terms of Ca concentration at 80 days after full bloom (dafb). However, when soil applications occurred with active root growth (visually monitored), treatments differed significantly 80 dafb. Weekly foliar Ca applications from 28 dafb resulted in higher fruit Ca concentrations 80 dafb than a pre-harvest soil Ca application (January, 2010). A possible explanation for the inefficiency of pre-harvest soil Ca is the disintegration of xylem vessels from 40 dafb (before root uptake) for sensitive cultivars such as Braeburn. Bitter pit initiation has been shown to occur in the earlier part of the season. This, together with a reduced Ca supply to the fruit early in the season due to xylem disintegration (for sensitive cultivars), indicates the importance of early season foliar Ca applications. PIXE analyses were used to establish the radial Ca distribution in apples. Ca was concentrated in the skin and core, with very low values in the outer cortex. PIXE results indicated fruit Ca concentrations to be the lowest in the pre-harvest soil application treatment. This was in agreement with mineral analyses results. Ca enriched areas resulting from effective Ca delivery via the vascular bundles, had a profound effect on fruit Ca concentrations in the immediate core and cortex. At harvest, this effect was much more subtle and emphasizes the importance of untimely xylem rupturing on eventual fruit Ca concentration. At 80 dafb, treatments where foliar Ca was applied showed higher Ca concentrations in the outer cortex (where symptoms of bitter pit typically occur). Calflo™ fruit had significantly higher Ca concentrations in "Braeburn" compared to fruits from Foliar GS™ and GG™ treatments. Calflo™ and Calcimax™ had a higher active Ca percentage (12%) compared to Foliar GSTM and GGTM (10%). Adding the Lecithin™ (surfactant) to Calcimax™ is not recommended as it did not improve its uptake. In "Golden Delicious", the commercial spray program of seven, weekly foliar applications (Calcinit™) resulted in fruit with significantly higher Ca concentrations compared to other treatments. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kalsium (Ca) tekorte ontstaan gewoonlik in gelokaliseerde areas in die appelvrug en ontwikkel dikwels ten spyte van voldoende totale vrug Ca. Minerale analises van heel vrugte verskaf dus nie genoeg inligting aangaande die verspreiding van Ca in die vrug wanneer die ontwikkelling van fisiologiese defekte soos bitterpit ter sprake is nie. Addisionele Ca word gewoonlik aangewend as blaar- of grondtoedienings, waar grondtoedienings tipies voor-oes (net na set) of in die na-oes periode, toegedien word. Die bydraes van die verskillende toedieningsmetodes tot die totale Ca konsentrasie van "Braeburn" appels is geëvalueer oor drie agtereenvolgende seisoene. Blaartoedienings van Ca word algemeen gebruik om die voorkoms van bitterpit te beheer en die Ca konsentrasie van die vrug te verhoog. Die effektiwiteit van `n reeks blaartoedienings-produkte om hierdie faktore te verbeter, is ook ondersoek. Die spesifieke verspreiding van die Ca in die vrug is gekarteer na gelang van elke toediening deur middel van PIXE-analises (Particle induced X-ray emission). In die "Braeburn" proef was daar geen beduidende verskille in terme van vrug Ca konsentrasie op 80 dnvb (dae na volblom) nie. Daarteenoor, was daar wel beduidende verskille by 80 dnvb toe grond toedienings saam met aktiewe wortelgroei geskied het (visuele inspeksie). Weeklikse blaartoedienings vanaf 21 dnvb het gelei tot vrugte met betekenisvol hoër Ca konsentrasies as die behandeling waar grondtoedienings slegs voor-oes geskied het (Januarie 2010). `n Moontlike oorsaak vir die oneffektiwiteit van voor-oes grondtoedings is die vroeë disintigrasie van xileem vesels in die vrug (soms voor 40 dnvb en voor die aanvang van wortelopname) in sensitiewe kultivars soos "Braeburn". Hierdie vroeë inhibering van Ca voorsiening, tesame met die vroeë inisiasie van bitterpit, beklemtoon die belangrikheid van blaarbespuitings vroeg in die seisoen. Die PIXE-analises wat aangewend is om die radiale verspreiding van Ca in die vrug te bepaal het getoon dat Ca meestal in die skil en kern van die vrug gekonsentreer was, met baie lae konsentrasies in die buitenste korteks. Die laagste Ca konsentrasies is waargeneem in vrugte van die behandeling waar voor-oes Ca slegs as `n grondtoediening geskied het. Hierdie waarneming is in ooreenstemming met die mineraalanalise resultate. Ca verykte areas, afkomstig van die naby geleë vaatbundels (xileem vesels), het egter die grootste effek op vrug Ca konsentrasie gehad. Hierdie effek was nie so groot by oes nie en beklemtoon dus die belangrikheid van die funksionaliteit van die vaatbundels. Blaartoedienings kon die Ca konsentrasie in die buitenste korteks suksesvol verhoog - waar simptome van bitterpit tipies voorkom. Die Calflo™ behandeling het beduidende hoër Ca konsentrasies gehad as die Foliar GS™ en GG™ behandelings. Die Calflo™ en Calcimax™ behandelings het `n hoër aktiewe Ca persentasie (12%) relatief tot die Foliar GS™ en GG™ (10%) behandelings bevat. Die byvoeging van Lecithin™ by Calcimax™ word nie aanbeveel nie, omdat dit geensins Ca opname vermeerder het nie. In die "Golden Delicious" proef het die kommersiële behandeling (Sewe weeklikse spuite van Calcinit™) gelei tot vrugte met die hoogste Ca konsentrasie van al die behandelings.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Research was carried out to increase the current knowledge on sunburn development and its control in apples. In addition to its chief causes, viz. high irradiance and high temperatures, water stress has long been thought to contribute to sunburn susceptibility. Certain fruit chemical and textural characteristics have also been suspected to increase sunburn, while it is not clear how factors such as crop load affect sunburn in relation to other fruit quality parameters. In red and blushed cultivars, sunburn could be underestimated due to masking by the red colour overlay. Half and total irrigation water were withheld for two weeks in ‘Cripps’ Pink’ apples while in a concomitant trial, mulching with vermicompost (plus a thin layer of woodchips), woodchips, plant compost and black geotextile were used to regulate plant water by reducing soil evaporative loss. Sunburn increased with an increase in moisture stress. Mulching had no effect on plant water status, but it generally enhanced plant photochemistry, reducing fruit surface temperature (FST) and sunburn. Chemical and textural characteristics of exposed, but non-burned ‘Cripps’ Pink’ apples were compared with that of fruit with induced and naturally occurring sunburn. Flesh firmness, total soluble solids (TSS), and titratable acidity (TA) of induced and naturally occurring sunburnt fruit did not differ from each other, but were significantly different from the non-burnt fruit. Based on this, we concluded that sunburn induces textural and compositional changes in sunburnt fruit rather than some fruit being predisposed to develop sunburn due to their texture and chemical composition. Differences in heat stress tolerance, flesh texture and chemical composition of sun exposed and shaded fruit sides seem to relate to their light exposure history. The effect of crop load on sunburn and fruit quality were assessed on a fruit cluster level in 2008-09 and on a whole tree basis in 2009-10 in ‘Cripps’ Pink’. In 2008-09, sunburn, red colour and the proportion of first grade fruit decreased with an increase in number of fruit per cluster. Crop load did not have an effect on sunburn and fruit colour in 2009-10 although the lowest thinning severity seemed to increase sunburn severity while the proportion of first grade fruit was highest for the highest thinning severity. Fruit number per cluster had no effect on fruit size, while at the whole tree level, fruit size decreased with increasing crop load. Flesh firmness, starch breakdown, TA and TSS were neither affected by the number of fruit per cluster nor the crop load of the tree as a whole. Green ‘Granny Smith’ and ‘Golden Delicious’, blushed ‘Royal Gala’, ‘Fuji’, ‘Braeburn’ and ‘Cripps’ Pink’, and full red ‘Topred’ were used to assess how red colour (anthocyanins) masks superficial sunburn browning and bleaching. The greater reduction in superficial sunburn, but not in sunburn necrosis in red and blushed compared to green cultivars with increasing red colour a month towards harvest seemed to confirm the effect of masking. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie navorsing is verrig ter uitbreiding van die huidige kennis oor die ontwikkeling en beheer van sonbrand in appels. Addisioneel tot die hoof oorsake van sonbrand, naamlik hoë irradiasie en hoë temperatuur, word waterstres gesien as bydraend tot sonbrandsensitiwiteit. Daar word ook vermoed dat sekere chemiese en teksturele eienskappe van die vrug sonbrand kan verhoog terwyl daar nie duidelikheid is oor hoe faktore soos oeslading sonbrand relatief tot ander vrugkwaliteitparameters kan affekteer nie. Die omvang van sonbrand in rooi en bloskultivars kan dalk onderskat word vanweë maskering deur die oorliggende rooi pigmentasie. Besproeiing is vir twee weke gehalveer of gestop in ‘Cripps’ Pink’ appels. Sonbrand het toegeneem met ‘n toename in vogstres. ‘n Deklaag van vermikompos (plus ‘n dun laag houtstukkies), houtstukkies, plantkompos en ‘n swart geotekstiel is toegedien om die plant waterstatus te reguleer deur evaporasie vanuit die grond te beperk. Die deklae het geen effek op die plant waterstatus gehad nie, maar het wel die blaar fotochemie bevorder en terselftertyd die vrugoppervlaktemperatuur verlaag en sonbrand verminder. Die chemiese en tekturele eienskappe van sonligblootgestelde ‘Cripps’ Pink’ appels sonder sonbrand is vergelyk met vrugte met geïnduseerde sonbrand en vrugte met sonbrand wat natuurlik ontwikkel het. Vrugvleisfermheid, totale oplosbare vastestowwe (TOV) en titreerbare suur (TS) van vrugte met natuurlik en geïnduseerde sonbrand het nie onderling verskil nie, maar het wel betekesnisvol verskil van vrugte sonder sonbrand. Ons het gevolglik afgelei dat sonbrand teksturele en komposisionele veranderinge teweeg bring eerder as dat sekere vrugte gepredisponeer word om sonbrand te ontwikkel vanweë hul tekstuur en chemiese samestelling. Dit kom voor dat verskille in hittestres toleransie, tekstuur en chemiese samestelling tussen die sonligblootgestelde en skadu kante van appels verband hou met hul verskil in sonligblootstelling. Die effek van oeslading op sonbrand en vrugkwaliteit in ‘Cripps’ Pink’ is ge-evalueer op trosvlak in 2008-09 en op ‘n per boom basis in 2009-10. Sonbrand, rooi kleur en die proporsie eersteklas vrugte het afgeneem met ‘n toename in die aantal vrugte per tros. Op ‘n per boom basis is rooi kleur en sonbrand egter nie deur oeslading geaffekteer nie. Die laagste vlak van vruguitdunning het wel oënskynlik die graad van sonbrand verhoog terwyl die hoogste vlak van vruguitdunning tot ‘n toename in die proporsie eersteklas vrugte gelei het. Die aantal vrugte per tros het geen effek op vruggrootte gehad nie terwyl vruggrootte afgeneem het met oeslading op ‘n heelboombasis. Vrugvleisfermheid, styselafbraak, TOV en TS is nie deur aantal vrugte per tros of die oeslading per boom geaffekteer nie. Groen ‘Granny Smith’ en ‘Golden Delicious’, rooiblos ‘Royal Gala’, ‘Fuji’, ‘Braeburn’ en ‘Cripps’ Pink’, en volrooi ‘Topred’ is gebruik om die maskering van oppervlakkige sonbrandverbruining en –verbleiking deur rooi antosianien te bestudeer. Oppervlakkige sonbrand het minder toegeneem in die maand voor oes in die rooi- en bloskultivars as in die groen kultivars terwyl vrugkleur skynbaar nie die aanwesigheid van die meer sigbare sonbrandnekrose geaffekteer het nie. Maskering speel dus ‘n rol in die aanwesigheid van sigbare sonbrand.

Thesis (MSc (Horticulture))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / Rind breakdown of ‘Nules Clementine’ mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) is a physiological rind disorder that develops during storage. The disorder appears following leakage of essential oil from oil glands in the flavedo, which then leaks into and oxidises the albedo. Oxidised tissue appears as brown spots in the rind. Occurrence of this disorder over the years has caused high financial losses to ‘Clementine’ mandarin producers and exporting companies. Therefore, research aimed at solving this problem was identified as a priority by the citrus industry. Several factors have been reported to be associated with rind breakdown of ‘Clementine’ mandarin fruit, and include environmental factors, fruit maturity at harvest, ethylene gas degreening, storage temperature and storage duration, canopy position where fruit are borne, plant growth regulators, and differences in susceptibility among selections. Practical information has been generated on rind breakdown, but the basic physiology of the disorder is still unresolved. The objective of this study was, therefore, to quantify the effects of various factors on the development of rind breakdown of ‘Nules Clementine’ mandarin fruit, as well as to establish an association between rind pigments and rind antioxidant capacity on the development of this disorder. In this study a series of five experiments was conducted, and included quantifying the differences in susceptibility to rind breakdown between ‘Nules’ and ‘Oroval Clementine’ mandarin fruit, investigating the effects of fruit canopy position, harvest date, ethylene gas degreening, storage temperature and duration on the development of rind breakdown. The effect of these factors on rind pigments and antioxidant capacity was also reported. Generally, ‘Nules’ and ‘Oroval Clementine’ mandarin fruit exhibited similar characteristics at harvest, in terms of maturity and antioxidant capacity. After storage, ‘Nules Clementine’ mandarin developed higher levels of rind breakdown than ‘Oroval Clementine’ mandarin. However, the difference in susceptibility to rind breakdown of ‘Nules’ and ‘Oroval Clementine’ mandarin fruit could not be associated with the antioxidant capacity measured at harvest...