Organic Agricultural Practice: Crop Load Management Enhancing Quality and Storability of High-Russet Pears

Abstract

The variability of crop load in Conference pears significantly influences fruit quality and postharvest losses. This study aimed to investigate and implement a novel technique for managing crop load in Conference pear orchards, with a focus on contributing to sustainable orchard management practices. High-russet pear cv. Conference fruit was harvested from trees categorized into two groups based on yield efficiency. A two-way ANOVA was used to test the effects of crop load level and year on yield properties and fruit quality parameters. Results demonstrated that low crop loads exerted a positive influence on fruit quality, resulting in increased fresh-market yield, enhanced fruit-mass parameters, and improved firmness and acidity. Additionally, fruit from low crop load levels exhibited a heightened level of characteristic skin russeting, a desirable attribute that enhances product appeal, compared to fruit from high crop load levels. Thus, crop load management in Conference pear orchards emerged as an effective preharvest organic strategy for mitigating postharvest quality losses during storage, thereby promoting overall orchard sustainability.