The Predominant Role of Calcium as an Indicator in Storage Disorders in Cleopatra Apples

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Abstract
Summary Experiments with Cleopatra apple trees growing on Mailing 7 rootstocks in pot culture were conducted over a period of seven years. The trees were subjected over the years to a wide variety of treatments related to the nutrient supply, consisting of various levels and combinations of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium. The study considered the influence of nutrition on the mineral element composition of the fruit and on the storage disorders bitter pit, breakdown, scald and fungal rotting. Statistical analysis of the results indicated a predominant role for calcium in inhibiting bitter pit development, and also showed that calcium was the only mineral element of importance as an indicator of other storage disorders. Under conditions of adequate nutrition, a direct role for magnesium and potassium is unlikely. Principal component analysis, followed by varimax rotation of the first three component axes, proved to be a most useful mathematical technique for studying interrelationships between elements and disorders.

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