How sunburn affects the quality of pomegranate fruit
This trial is a great example of the importance of antioxidants for plant health. For healthy fruit, severe stress of any sort should be avoided to ensure the antioxidant system is not stretched beyond its limit. If it is, visual damage will occur, resulting in a loss of product quality.
Why study this?
This trial looked at the effect of sunburn on the internal quality of the pomegranate fruit.
What we found
If sunburn damage on the skin was severe, the pool of antioxidants within the tissue below that damage was depleted. If the damage is too severe the normal protective system can’t cope and the damage can’t be repaired. This leads to unmarketable fruit.
Where to next?
Many questions remain in relation to the commercial production of pomegranate trees, postharvest handling of fruit and extraction of fruit components. Key areas which require further investigation are: development of antioxidants in the fruit; postharvest storage of fruit; aerial extraction and juicing process.
Resources
Scientia Horticulturae paper
For more information contact
Dr Gordon Rogers, Applied Horticultural Research Pty Ltd