Apple-Crop: Paula Red - Water Core Problem

[JOANNE DINARDO]

We have experienced water core in about 30% of our Paula Red Apples.
They are in two different blocks in the orchard and the problem exists
throughout the crop. The problem is on small and large apples and on
almost ripe and over ripe apples. The only different chemical that was
used this year was Appogee. We applied calcium as a nutrient but have
done so consistently over the years.

In seven years we have never experienced this problem. Has anyone else
checked on their crop? Has anyone else experienced this under these
unique growing conditions.

Thanks
Joanne DiNardo
Sholan Farms
Leominster, Mass
978-870-


---


The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard 
 and managed by Win Cowgill and Jon 
Clements <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>.

Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not represent 
"official" opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no responsibility for 
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Re: Apple-Crop: Paula Red - Water Core Problem

[Jon Clements]

Joanne, watercore is a physiological disorder whose cause is many and  
not terribly well understood. Suffice it to say, it should clue you  
off to a few things:


1.) It is a good indicator of maturity, in this case over-maturity.  
Watercore fruit should be harvested ASAP.


2.) It may be an indicator of low calcium levels in the fruit --  
fruit seem to be large this year on average, we have had plenty of  
rain, so calcium levels in fruit may be low despite our efforts to  
supply calcium. Our Paulared crop in Belchertown is very heavy,  
further exacerbating the problem. I am not sure if we can implicate  
Apogee use in any of this?


3.) Water core fruit should not be stored if you can avoid it.

4.) Some cultures place a premium on watercore ('Honeycore') fruit,  
particularly for example Fuji. Of course this makes sense given that  
it is a sign of mature fruit, hence high in sugars and complexity of  
flavor.


For a more complete explanation on the phenomenon, see:

http://postharvest.tfrec.wsu.edu/pgDisplay.php?article=N3I4A

Good luck and don't sweat it too much.

Jon

Jon Clements
Extension Tree Fruit Specialist
UMass Cold Spring Orchard
393 Sabin Street
Belchertown, MA  01007
VOICE 413.478.7219
FAX 413.323.0382
IM mrhoneycrisp
Skype Name mrhoneycrisp


On Aug 18, 2007, at 7:40 AM, JOANNE DINARDO wrote:


We have experienced water core in about 30% of our Paula Red Apples.
They are in two different blocks in the orchard and the problem exists
throughout the crop. The problem is on small and large apples and on
almost ripe and over ripe apples. The only different chemical that was
used this year was Appogee. We applied calcium as a nutrient but have
done so consistently over the years.

In seven years we have never experienced this problem. Has anyone else
checked on their crop? Has anyone else experienced this under these
unique growing conditions.

Thanks
Joanne DiNardo
Sholan Farms
Leominster, Mass
978-870-


-- 
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The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard
 and managed by Win Cowgill and Jon
Clements <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>.

Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not  
represent
"official" opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no responsibility  
for

the content.









---


The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard 
 and managed by Win Cowgill and Jon 
Clements <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>.


Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not represent 
"official" opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no responsibility for 
the content.

RE: Apple-Crop: Paula Red - Water Core Problem

[Mosbah Kushad]

I would like to add a few comments about watercore.. It usually develops in
hot/dry seasons, especially if the hot weather occurs during the last two
months before harvest.  As Jon indicated, the exact cause is not known but,
as I vaguely recall, one study suggested that the process of sorbitol
conversion to starch is disturbed in watercore apples.  Sorbitol is a
sugar-alcohol  that apple leaves send to the fruit to be converted into
starch (you will not feel the alcohol effect when eat watercore apples).
Watercore apples have higher sorbitol and low starch than non watercore
apples and that is why they taste sweeter. In general, fruits that have low
or no starch should not be stored for any length of time regardless if they
have watercore or not.  A simple iodine test is a good indicator of the
starch level in the fruit.  I am not sure there has been any scientific
evidence directly linking watercore to calcium and that maybe the reason why
the calcium spray did not reduce the disorder.  Hope this help, Mosbah
Kushad, University of Illinois 

-Original Message-
From: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
On Behalf Of Jon Clements
Sent: Saturday, August 18, 2007 8:09 AM
To: Apple-Crop
Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Paula Red - Water Core Problem

Joanne, watercore is a physiological disorder whose cause is many and not
terribly well understood. Suffice it to say, it should clue you off to a few
things:

1.) It is a good indicator of maturity, in this case over-maturity.  
Watercore fruit should be harvested ASAP.

2.) It may be an indicator of low calcium levels in the fruit -- fruit seem
to be large this year on average, we have had plenty of rain, so calcium
levels in fruit may be low despite our efforts to supply calcium. Our
Paulared crop in Belchertown is very heavy, further exacerbating the
problem. I am not sure if we can implicate Apogee use in any of this?

3.) Water core fruit should not be stored if you can avoid it.

4.) Some cultures place a premium on watercore ('Honeycore') fruit,
particularly for example Fuji. Of course this makes sense given that it is a
sign of mature fruit, hence high in sugars and complexity of flavor.

For a more complete explanation on the phenomenon, see:

http://postharvest.tfrec.wsu.edu/pgDisplay.php?article=N3I4A

Good luck and don't sweat it too much.

Jon

Jon Clements
Extension Tree Fruit Specialist
UMass Cold Spring Orchard
393 Sabin Street
Belchertown, MA  01007
VOICE 413.478.7219
FAX 413.323.0382
IM mrhoneycrisp
Skype Name mrhoneycrisp


On Aug 18, 2007, at 7:40 AM, JOANNE DINARDO wrote:

> We have experienced water core in about 30% of our Paula Red Apples.
> They are in two different blocks in the orchard and the problem exists 
> throughout the crop. The problem is on small and large apples and on 
> almost ripe and over ripe apples. The only different chemical that was 
> used this year was Appogee. We applied calcium as a nutrient but have 
> done so consistently over the years.
>
> In seven years we have never experienced this problem. Has anyone else 
> checked on their crop? Has anyone else experienced this under these 
> unique growing conditions.
>
> Thanks
> Joanne DiNardo
> Sholan Farms
> Leominster, Mass
> 978-870-
>
>
> --
> -
>
>
> The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard 
> <http://www.virtualorchard.net> and managed by Win Cowgill and Jon 
> Clements <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>.
>
> Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not 
> represent "official" opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no 
> responsibility for the content.
>
>
>
>
>



---


The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard
<http://www.virtualorchard.net> and managed by Win Cowgill and Jon Clements
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>.

Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not represent
"official" opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no responsibility for the
content.







---


The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard 
<http://www.virtualorchard.net> and managed by Win Cowgill and Jon 
Clements <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>.

Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not represent 
"official" opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no responsibility for 
the content.

Re: Apple-Crop: Paula Red - Water Core Problem

[David Kollas]

The most common form of watercore seems to correlate to fruit  
maturity, but sorbitol accumulation that results in translucent fruit  
flesh is not always maturity-related. A striking example of this  
occurs in my very light-cropping Macoun this season.
A significant percentage , maybe 15%, of the apples have shown  
translucence since the middle of July.  It goes deep, but the seed  
cavities that I have looked at have not been filled with liquid.   
Several weeks ago, many of these fruits were
exuding droplets of sticky liquid on their skin surface.  I have seen  
examples of these symptoms other years in several varieties, but not  
to the extent I see this year.  I  assume the light crop has  
something to do with it, but surely there
is more involved than that.  The light crop is the consequence of  
excessive response of an extremely heavy fruit set to thinning spray.  
Apogee was used as well, and I don't know if that influenced  
watercore development.


David Kollas
Kollas Orchard
Tolland, CT
On Aug 18, 2007, at 9:09 AM, Jon Clements wrote:

Joanne, watercore is a physiological disorder whose cause is many  
and not terribly well understood. Suffice it to say, it should clue  
you off to a few things:


1.) It is a good indicator of maturity, in this case over-maturity.  
Watercore fruit should be harvested ASAP.


2.) It may be an indicator of low calcium levels in the fruit --  
fruit seem to be large this year on average, we have had plenty of  
rain, so calcium levels in fruit may be low despite our efforts to  
supply calcium. Our Paulared crop in Belchertown is very heavy,  
further exacerbating the problem. I am not sure if we can implicate  
Apogee use in any of this?


3.) Water core fruit should not be stored if you can avoid it.

4.) Some cultures place a premium on watercore ('Honeycore') fruit,  
particularly for example Fuji. Of course this makes sense given  
that it is a sign of mature fruit, hence high in sugars and  
complexity of flavor.


For a more complete explanation on the phenomenon, see:

http://postharvest.tfrec.wsu.edu/pgDisplay.php?article=N3I4A

Good luck and don't sweat it too much.

Jon

Jon Clements
Extension Tree Fruit Specialist
UMass Cold Spring Orchard
393 Sabin Street
Belchertown, MA  01007
VOICE 413.478.7219
FAX 413.323.0382
IM mrhoneycrisp
Skype Name mrhoneycrisp


On Aug 18, 2007, at 7:40 AM, JOANNE DINARDO wrote:


We have experienced water core in about 30% of our Paula Red Apples.
They are in two different blocks in the orchard and the problem  
exists

throughout the crop. The problem is on small and large apples and on
almost ripe and over ripe apples. The only different chemical that  
was

used this year was Appogee. We applied calcium as a nutrient but have
done so consistently over the years.

In seven years we have never experienced this problem. Has anyone  
else

checked on their crop? Has anyone else experienced this under these
unique growing conditions.

Thanks
Joanne DiNardo
Sholan Farms
Leominster, Mass
978-870-


- 
--



The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard
 and managed by Win Cowgill and Jon
Clements <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>.

Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not  
represent
"official" opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no  
responsibility for

the content.









-- 
-



The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual  
Orchard and managed by Win Cowgill  
and JonClements <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>.


Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not  
represent"official" opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no  
responsibility forthe content.










---


The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard 
 and managed by Win Cowgill and Jon 
Clements <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>.


Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not represent 
"official" opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no responsibility for 
the content.

RE: Apple-Crop: Paula Red - Water Core Problem

[Mosbah Kushad]

David: Here are three references that explains the relationship between
watercore and sorbitol accumulation. The last article by Marlow and Loescher
explains the relationship in detail.  Mosbah 

1.  Gao Z. F.; Jayanty S.; Beaudry R.; et al.
Sorbitol transporter expression in apple sink tissues: implications for
fruit sugar accumulation and watercore development. 
Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 130 (2): 261-268
2005 


 2.  Marlow G. C.; Loescher W. H.
Sorbitol metabolism, the climacteric, and watercore in apples. 
Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 110 (5): 676-680
1985 


 3.  Marlow G. C.; Loescher W. H.
Watercore.  Horticultural Reviews 6: 189-251 1984 
 
 

-Original Message-
From: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
On Behalf Of David Kollas
Sent: Saturday, August 18, 2007 1:14 PM
To: Apple-Crop; Jon Clements
Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Paula Red - Water Core Problem

The most common form of watercore seems to correlate to fruit maturity, but
sorbitol accumulation that results in translucent fruit flesh is not always
maturity-related. A striking example of this occurs in my very
light-cropping Macoun this season.
A significant percentage , maybe 15%, of the apples have shown translucence
since the middle of July.  It goes deep, but the seed  
cavities that I have looked at have not been filled with liquid.   
Several weeks ago, many of these fruits were exuding droplets of sticky
liquid on their skin surface.  I have seen examples of these symptoms other
years in several varieties, but not to the extent I see this year.  I
assume the light crop has something to do with it, but surely there is more
involved than that.  The light crop is the consequence of excessive response
of an extremely heavy fruit set to thinning spray.  
Apogee was used as well, and I don't know if that influenced watercore
development.

David Kollas
Kollas Orchard
Tolland, CT
On Aug 18, 2007, at 9:09 AM, Jon Clements wrote:

> Joanne, watercore is a physiological disorder whose cause is many and 
> not terribly well understood. Suffice it to say, it should clue you 
> off to a few things:
>
> 1.) It is a good indicator of maturity, in this case over-maturity.  
> Watercore fruit should be harvested ASAP.
>
> 2.) It may be an indicator of low calcium levels in the fruit -- fruit 
> seem to be large this year on average, we have had plenty of rain, so 
> calcium levels in fruit may be low despite our efforts to supply 
> calcium. Our Paulared crop in Belchertown is very heavy, further 
> exacerbating the problem. I am not sure if we can implicate Apogee use 
> in any of this?
>
> 3.) Water core fruit should not be stored if you can avoid it.
>
> 4.) Some cultures place a premium on watercore ('Honeycore') fruit, 
> particularly for example Fuji. Of course this makes sense given that 
> it is a sign of mature fruit, hence high in sugars and complexity of 
> flavor.
>
> For a more complete explanation on the phenomenon, see:
>
> http://postharvest.tfrec.wsu.edu/pgDisplay.php?article=N3I4A
>
> Good luck and don't sweat it too much.
>
> Jon
>
> Jon Clements
> Extension Tree Fruit Specialist
> UMass Cold Spring Orchard
> 393 Sabin Street
> Belchertown, MA  01007
> VOICE 413.478.7219
> FAX 413.323.0382
> IM mrhoneycrisp
> Skype Name mrhoneycrisp
>
>
> On Aug 18, 2007, at 7:40 AM, JOANNE DINARDO wrote:
>
>> We have experienced water core in about 30% of our Paula Red Apples.
>> They are in two different blocks in the orchard and the problem 
>> exists throughout the crop. The problem is on small and large apples 
>> and on almost ripe and over ripe apples. The only different chemical 
>> that was used this year was Appogee. We applied calcium as a nutrient 
>> but have done so consistently over the years.
>>
>> In seven years we have never experienced this problem. Has anyone 
>> else checked on their crop? Has anyone else experienced this under 
>> these unique growing conditions.
>>
>> Thanks
>> Joanne DiNardo
>> Sholan Farms
>> Leominster, Mass
>> 978-870-
>>
>>
>> -
>> --
>>
>>
>> The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard 
>> <http://www.virtualorchard.net> and managed by Win Cowgill and Jon 
>> Clements <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>.
>>
>> Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not 
>> represent "official" opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no 
>> responsibility for the content.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
> -