The Development of Russet, Rough Russet and Cracks on the Fruit of the Apple Cox’s Orange Pippin During the Course of the Season

Abstract

SummaryThe development of russet, rough russet and cracks on fruit from young Cox’s Orange Pippin trees was recorded from about two weeks after blossom until harvest in 1972 and 1973. All three types of blemish had the same time of onset, mid-June in both seasons. The frequency of the blemishes varied from year to year and on different regions of the fruit surface. The stalk cavity had the highest frequency of all three blemishes. The cheek region had the next highest frequency of rough russet and cracks. The relative frequency of russet on the cheek and around the eye cavity varied with the season, the cheek being worst affected in 1972 and the eye cavity in 1973. Overall the skin finish was better in 1973 than 1972. In 1973 fruit from trees on M.9 rootstock had a better overall skin finish than those from trees on M.20, 3426 or M.27 rootstocks, all of which had fruit of similar quality. The trees on M.9 were bigger, giving a much denser leaf canopy and more shade.