Seasonal Changes in Yield and Quality of Lulo fruits
2 Research Center for Bio-Macromolecules, University of Bayreuth
O 2.10 in Research in its Prime: First Results of Ongoing Research
10.10.2013, 12:00-12:15, H6, GEO
The exotic lulo plant (Solanum quitoense) is usually habituated to diurnal climate in South America. In Central Europe, the plant has to be cultivated under glass and there is little experience on effects of seasonal climate on fruit quality of lulo. So we tested whether fruit ripening during different seasons has an effect on quality of lulo fruits.
The plants were grown under greenhouse conditions at the Ecological-Botanical Garden of the University of Bayreuth. 36 lulo plants were sown throughout the year 2012, resulting in different maturation periods (winter, spring, spring with additional light during winter, summer; 2013 respectively). The fruits were compared in terms of fruit number, size, weight, colour, firmness, pH value, titrable acidity, sugar and water content. In addition, sensory tests should reveal differences in appearance and taste and NMR spectroscopic analyses were made to find differences in composition of ingredients.
The experiment revealed differences between fruits of different maturation periods in all tested characteristics so far. Winter-fruits showed lowest, summer-fruits highest values for weight, size, colour, sugar content and pH. Sensory tests are expected to support analyses. NMR spectral analyses are still running.
Present results indicate a trend, that fruit ripening during summer offers better conditions for high fruit quality than during winter.
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