Abstracts |
The effect of biofertilizers (N fixing bacteria, phosphate solubilizing bacteria, and vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza) and mineral fertilizers on the quality and storability of 7-year-old apple (cv. Anna) trees budded on MM. 106 rootstock grown on a newly reclaimed sandy soil were studied in Elbostan district, Elbehira, Egypt, during 2002, 2003 and 2004. The biofertilizers improved fruit total soluble solids, did not significantly affect fruit texture, acidity and colour (L and a values), but reduced the b value. The application of biofertilizers combined with 25% of the recommended chemical fertilizers (0.750 kg ammonium sulfate + 1.0 kg calcium superphosphate + 1.0 kg potassium sulfate) resulted in the greatest weight loss, decay percentage, and total soluble solids. Treatment with biofertilizers + 50% of the recommended mineral fertilizers significantly decreased fruit firmness. The increase in storage duration gradually increased weight loss and TSS, reduced fruit firmness, texture and acidity, but had no definite effect on fruit colour (a and b values) during storage. Decayed fruits were not observed until 60 days of storage at 0 degrees C. The L value increased gradually from day 0 to day 60, decreased at day 80, then increased at day 100. At day 0, fruit colour (a and b values) and TSS were lowest, while acidity was highest. At 20 and 40 days of storage, the highest a and b values, respectively, were recorded. At 100 days of storage, the lowest values of acidity were recorded. The results indicated that microbial fertilizers in combination with 50% of the recommended mineral fertilizers were the most suitable in producing fruits of high quality and long storage life. |