Effect of different preventive measures on fruit cracking and quality of Prunus domestica × armeniaca 'Fengweihuanghou' fruits

Objective This article aims to analyze the effects of different preventive measures on the cracking and quality of Prunus domestica × armeniaca 'Fengweihuanghou' fruit, analyze the anti cracking effects of five preventive measures, explore suitable preventive measures, reduce cracking rate, and improve fruit quality, providing a reliable theoretical basis.

Methods By setting 5 methods (treatment 1: water control and prevention (watering during color change period, with a water volume of 80 m³)/Treatment 2: Water control prevention+liquid calcium, Treatment 3: Water control prevention+film-forming agent, Treatment 4: Water control prevention+liquid calcium+film-forming agent, Treatment 5: Water control prevention+liquid calcium+rain shelter) Crack prevention measures, explore suitable crack prevention measures for 'Fengweihuanghou'.

Results The results showed that water control prevention+liquid calcium+film-forming agent (treatment 4) had the most significant effect on preventing fruit cracking, with a cracking rate of 15%. Compared with only water control and prevention (treatment 1), the cracking rate decreased by 11 percentage points. Analyzing the anatomical structure of the fruit, it was found that the maximum thickness of the epidermal layer and outer skin in treatment 4 were 0.0168 mm and 0.1232 mm, respectively; By analyzing the shape, arrangement, density, size of intercellular spaces, and uniformity of cell size of the epidermal layer and outer fruit skin cells, it can be seen that in treatment 4, the epidermal layer cells exhibit elongated, elliptical, and square circular shapes, with neat and tight cell arrangement, no intercellular spaces, and uniform distribution of epidermal layer cell size; The exocarp cells are square, elliptical, and irregularly shaped, with neatly arranged and tightly packed cells. There are no gaps between the cells, and the size of the exocarp cells is evenly distributed. Compared with the other four treatments, this treatment is more conducive to preventing fruit cracking.Principal component analysis was conducted on 8 quality indicators, including soluble solids, vitamin C, soluble sugars, titratable acids, calcium content, potassium content, fiber content, and total pectin, to determine the optimal fruit quality among the 4 treatments.

Conclusion After comprehensive analysis of five measures to prevent fruit cracking, it was found that the prevention effect of 'Fengweihuanghou' on fruit cracking was most significant under the treatment of water control, liquid calcium, and film-forming agent, and the internal quality of the fruit was the best, which can provide reference for local Prunus domestica × p.armeniaca production