Experiments on the Use of Calcium Sprays for Bitter Pit Control in Apples

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Abstract
Summary Bitter pit in Cox’s Orange Pippin apples stored for over four months and Worcester Pearmain apples stored for six weeks was most effectively controlled by four sprays of 0·05M calcium nitrate applied at 21-day intervals from mid-June until mid-August. Although, in one trial on Cox, a similar measure of control was obtained with only two sprays or by post-harvest immersion for one minute in 0·05M calcium nitrate, in the other two seasons, the level of control was related to the number of spray applications. Senescent breakdown in Cox and rotting in Worcester were also reduced by the sprays. A marked correlation was found between the incidence of Gloeosporium rots and bitter pit for individual fruits. In the trial on Worcester, 0·05M calcium chloride was equally effective in controlling bitter pit and rotting. An association between fruit deformity and bitter pit was noted for this variety. Some impairment in red colour development was noted after spraying, particularly where the nitrate was used.

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