Published in Scientific Papers. Series B, Horticulture, Vol. LXVIV, Issue 1
Written by Lehel LUKACS, Gabriela Maria ROMAN, Ioana MOLDOVAN, Sándor RÓZSA, Tincuța-Marta GOCAN, Orsolya BORSAI
The increasing interest in urban agriculture highlights the need for a comprehensive understanding of fruit quality parameters in urban orchards. This study aimed to investigate the pomological and chemical characteristics of four sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) varieties, namely, 'Napoleon’, 'Van’, ʻBoambe de Cotnari’ and 'Stella’ cultivated in an urban orchard. The investigated varieties were evaluated for key pomological traits, including fruit weight, size, firmness, and skin colour, as well as chemical attributes such as soluble solids content (°Brix), titratable acidity, pH, vitamin C, total phenolic compounds and total flavonoids. The results revealed significant varietal differences in both physical and chemical properties, with some varieties demonstrating exceptional balance between sweetness and acidity, making them highly suitable for fresh consumption. Furthermore, the urban growing environment was found to influence certain quality parameters, potentially due to microclimatic conditions. This research underscores the potential of urban orchards to produce high-quality sweet cherries while contributing to local food systems. Insights from this study may aid in the selection of cherry varieties best suited for urban cultivation, enhancing productivity and fruit quality.
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