Ambrosia Fruit Maturity Report - Oct 16

This week's Ambrosia report is the final fruit maturity update for the season. There is also an update about the polar vortex industry recovery program. I hope harvest is going well for you all!

Final Ambrosia Report

Table 2: Maturity indices for Ambrosia fruit sampled in the current year on Oct 16, 2023. 

The target starch index for Ambrosia is greater than 2.8 so the block at North Medford is very close to the target value. The DA value for the North Medford block is within the acceptable range for storage.

Figure 1: Ten-fruit samples of Ambrosia from 13 yr Ambrosia trees on M9 in North Medford. The visual results of starch-iodine tests on Oct 16. Average starch ratings are summarized in Table 1.

Notes:

Important - This maturity report is for general industry purposes only. Growers are encouraged to use their own discretion to harvest trees that are exhibiting delayed colour development or exhibiting maturity indices that disagree with what is being reported here. Values were measured on an average of fruit that were representative of the block's crop load and tree vigour.

Starch Index - Starch is converted to sugars as ripening progresses. The starch-iodine test is used because iodine binds to starch molecules turning them blue/black, whereas sugars are not stained and remain clear. The Cornell chart on a scale of 1 to 8 was used above and values are an average of ten representative samples from each block.

Soluble Solids - Approximates the percentage of sugar content of the fruit. Measured using a handheld refractometer. Values are an average of ten representative samples from each block.

DA Meter - The delta absorbance (DA) value is related to the chlorophyll content of the peel. AAFC researchers in Kentville developed a protocol for Honeycrisp. For Ambrosia, values above 0.47 are immature, values 0.47 to 0.28 are ideal for long term storage, and values below 0.28 are best for short term storage because they are more prone to storage disorders. Values shown above are the average of twenty fruit taken throughout a block, with readings taken on the transition area between the sun and shade exposed sides. DA values will be noticeably different between the most mature and least mature fruit on a tree. 

Horticulture Nova Scotia Polar Vortex Program

Polar Vortex Industry Recovery Program is OPEN

The Polar Vortex Industry Recovery Program Phase 1 is open. Stream 1 provides virus testing support for grapes and stream 2 provides maintenance recovery for eligible crops. Farmers impacted by the polar vortex whos’ crops are not listed as eligible are welcome to apply on a case by case basis. To read over the program guidelines and to apply click here: Polar Vortex Industry Recovery Program