Sensory quality of scab-resistant apple cultivars

Twenty-two scab-resistant apple cultivars were harvested in autumn 1999 and evaluated for sensory quality the following October, November and December . Multivariate analysis was effective in describing the complex relationshi ps and variability among the numerous attributes used to characterise apple quality. Crispness, mealiness, skin toughness, apple flavour, sweetness, u nripe flavour and overripe flavour were informative attributes describing t he variation in the sensory quality. Texture attributes, apple flavour and overripe flavour were affected by storage. Extended storage resulted in an increase in mealiness and overripe flavour and a decrease in crispness, jui ciness and apple flavour. Many potential scab-resistant cultivars were suit able for consumption in October: 'Dayton', 'Primicia', 'Retina' and 'Realka '; in November: 'Merlijn', 'Saturn', 'Initial', 'Realka', 'Rajka' and 'Rubi nola'; and in December: 'Otava', 'Ecolette', 'Rajka', 'Rubinola', 'Delorina ', 'Initial' and 'Resista' and 'Topaz'. This study gives a sensory characte risation of scab-resistant cultivars as an indicator of suitability for com mercial growing and marketing of low-input apple cultivars. (C) 2001 Elsevi er Science B.V. All rights reserved.