Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/350705
I f you're tired of spilled iodine and starch conversion patterns that are difficult to interpret, there's an easier way to assess fruit maturity. A battery-operated, handheld device called the DA-meter, which was developed in Italy, allows growers to non- destructively monitor fruit ripening on the tree so they can pick the crop at the optimum time. Larry Lutz, vice president of agricul- tural services with Scotian Gold in Cold- brook, Nova Scotia, Canada, said that in the past the cooperative used what he calls the "dreaded starch iodine test" to assess fruit maturity. Apples are cut in half and the cut areas are soaked in an iodine solution. Starchy (immature) areas of the fruit will turn a blue-black color, while parts of the apple where the starch has converted into sugars will be clear. Lutz decided there had to be a bet- ter way. Besides being destructive, the starch-iodine test is very subjective and it takes experience to interpret the results. Another complication is that there is more than one starch scale to compare the results to. In contrast, taking readings with the DA-meter is quick and simple, Lutz said, and the device is easy to calibrate for dif- ferent varieties. 18 AUGUST 2014 Good Fruit Grower www.goodfruit.com We have over 50 years of experience in the nursery business and are now taking growing contracts for: Ultima™ Gala, Banning Red Fuji, Honeycrisp,™ Granny Smith, and many others. Taking orders for benchgrafts. 4000 Grant Road, East Wenatchee, WA 98802 509-884-7041 OFFICE banningnursery@hotmail.com Banning Red Fuji appears to be 7 to 10 days earlier than other late Fujis! Now Accepting Contracts for Spring 2016 and 2017! 120 N. Naches Avenue Yakima, WA 98901 509.853.3000 1420 Fifth Avenue Suite 3000 Seattle, WA 98101 206.626.6000 stokeslaw.com Sustained success takes vision and teamwork. At Stokes Lawrence Velikanje Moore & Shore, we see each client's unique vision as the driving force of our legal practice. We have decades of experience working with agricultural clients and deep knowledge of the business and legal issues faced by growers, packers and distributors. Let's reach your goals together. Ryan Griffee | Ellen Jackson | Garon Jones | Brendan Monahan Andre Penalver | Sean Russel | Morrie Shore | George Velikanje Sarah Wixson | Dustin Yeager Realizing Your Vision An EASY WAY to test maturity The DA-meter measures chlorophyll in the outer layer of the apple. by Geraldine Warner Harvest 1008 W. Ahtanum Road, #2 Union Gap, WA 98903 509-452-7707 www.cascadeanalytical.com 3019 GS Center Road Wenatchee, WA 98801 509-662-1888 • 800-545-4206 • Pesticide Residue (MRL) Analysis YOU NEED: • GAP and Food Safety Audit Compliance • Retail Buyer Confidence, both Foreign and Domestic • Regional Data Trends by Crop • Confidential Data Handling WE HAVE: • State-of-the-Art Instrumentation and Top Analysts • Industry/Crop-Specific Knowledge of Practices and Products • Very Competitive Pricing and Turnaround Time TREE FRUIT • WINE GRAPES • BERRIES • ONIONS • POTATOES Cascade Analy Water qtr 9-12_Cascade Analy 1/4 11-03 8/15/12 1:19 PM Page 1