Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/314286
28 JUNE 2014 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com Honeycrisp for all three tests and chose fruit from the most commercially typical storage regime, which included application of MCP (1-methylcyclopropene). Fruit of WA 38 was sampled from the breeding program's Phase 3 grower sites at Mattawa, Quincy, and Prosser, Washington. Common fruit quality measurements were performed for all samples (see table "Quality measure- ments of sampled fruit"). Consumers ranging from 18 to more than 70 years of age and with diverse ethnic backgrounds were recruited using poster advertising at the shopping mall. Each con- sumer was given a slice of WA 38 and a slice of Honeycrisp and asked to rate which they preferred for appearance, taste/flavor, texture, and which they preferred overall. Whole apples were also available to help consumers rate appearance. There was little difference in consumer preference between the two samples in October (none of the differ- ences were statistically significant, see "Consumer prefer- ence: WA 38 and Honeycrisp"). Honeycrisp was slightly preferred overall and for taste/flavor and appearance. However, WA 38 was slightly preferred for texture. In December, the appearance of Honeycrisp was sig- nificantly preferred to that of WA 38. However, WA 38 was slightly preferred overall and for taste/flavor and texture. Quality measurements of sampled fruit Harvest date, orchard location, storage regime, and quality data of the fruit sampled by consumers in October, December, and March. Soluble Titratable Harvest Storage Firmness solids acidity date Location regime (in lbs) (ºBrix) (%) October samples Honeycrisp NA Pomona RA + 1-MCP 14.1 13.4 0.45 WA 38 23-Sep Mattawa RA 19.1 13.4 0.71 December samples Honeycrisp NA Pomona RA + 1-MCP 14.0 12.4 0.43 WA 38 30-Sep Prosser Z RA 20.5 16.0 0.71 March samples Honeycrisp NA Royal City CA + 1-MCP 15.4 12.1 0.39 WA 38 1-Oct Quincy CA 19.5 13.2 0.52 RA: Regular atmosphere storage CA: Controlled atmosphere storage SOURCE: Kate Evans, WSU 1-MCP: 1-methylcyclopropene Z: Fruit from 2-year-old grafts Keep Birds Out GUARANTEED! 888-332-2328 www.BirdGard.com Try Bird Gard for an entire YEAR. If you are not completely satisfied with your results Simply return it for a full refund of your purchase price. -Travis Shoenwald Ranch Manager, Gebbers Farms, Brewster, WA "Hard to find any bird damage in our apples or cherries! ese new units work better than ever and the birds never came back. We are anxious to add Bird Gard to all our ourchards!" PHOTO COURTESY OF WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY Consumers taste WA 38 and Honeycrisp at River Park Square Shopping Mall in Spokane, Washington.