Crop yield response to water - Cra

Figure 1 Production trends for apples in the principal countries (FAO, 2011).China USA IranPolandTurkey40 00030 00020 000Production (1 000 tonne)10 00005 0004 0003 0002 0001 0000198519901995200020052010Quality considerationsThere are many features that affect apple fruit quality for the fresh market. Externalfeatures such as size, colour, shape and appearance are very important. For many markets,fruit that is smaller than 65-70 mm in diameter have a price penalty. Depending onthe variety, the background and superficial skin colours, whether green, yellow, red orred striped play an important role in fruit appearance, and therefore its fresh marketvalue. Skin blemishes such as sunburn, russeting and other markings negatively affectfresh quality. Flesh texture and firmness are important attributes, and are affected byenvironmental factors, cell wall properties and calcium content. Fruit composition in termsof sugars, acids and different aromas is variety dependant and has a strong influence onfruit taste and quality. Postharvest handling in controlled atmospheres, now commonlyfor this fruit months after harvest, is critical in terms of maintaining fruit quality and tolimit the numerous physiological disorders that may appear during storage.APPLE 333