Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of agricultural reflective film and HANSPEK film on the fruit quality attributes and peel color variables of ‘Fuji’ apples. The reflective films were applied under the tree canopies at 20 and 30 days before harvest (DBH), and a tree with no films was used as the control. Depending on the measurement locations, the light intensity was 7.4 - 14.6% higher in the reflective film treatments than that of the control. However, no difference in the light intensity was observed between the reflective and HASPEK films. In addition, the light intensity was not also different between the 20 and 30 DBH. At harvest, the flesh firmness, fruit weight, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, and internal ethylene concentration were not different regardless of the type of reflective film and treatment time. In addition, the peel color variables were not affected in the equatorial region. However, in the calyx region, the L* and b* values were decreased, and the a* value was increased by the reflective and HANSPEK films compared with the control. Hence, the hue angle was decreased to near 0o (red), and the peel color was improved. Therefore, this study suggests that the application of the HANSPEK film under a tree canopy could improve the fruit peel color of ‘Fuji’ apples.
Figures & Tables
Fig. 1. Pictures of film-treated under tree canopy in ‘Fuji’ apple orchard. (A) Control, (B) HANSPEK film, (C) Reflective film.
