Fine Structure of the Fruit Surface of Three Apple Cultivars1

Abstract

Abstract Examination of the fruit surface of the cvs. Golden Delicious, Delicious, and York Imperial, revealed considerable differences in the appearance of their wax structure. Waxes of ‘Delicious’ and ‘York Imperial’ were arranged in upright platelets early in the season and the platelets were somewhat smoothed by harvest. Wax of ‘Golden Delicious’ grown in a humid climate had surface cracks early in the season and the severity of the cracks had increased by harvest. The same cultivar grown in an arid climate was free of cracks. Waxes of this cultivar from both locations had amorphous wax with only occasional platelets.