CRANBERRY FRUIT MATURITY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO FRUIT FIRMNESS

The goal of this project is to investigate changes in cranberry fruit firmness during the ripening period by evaluating physiological and anatomical changes in the fruit, as well as preharvest factors that affect fruit softening. The objectives of this study are:Objective 1:Investigate key aspects of fruit ripening in cranberry, including fruit quality,cell wall composition, cell wall modifying enzyme activities, and cuticle thickness to obtain fundamental information needed to determine best timing for harvest to increase efficiency of SDC production.Objective 2:Investigate the relationship between the distribution and function of fruit stomata and Ca accumulation during different stages of fruit development in cranberry to obtain necessary information to develop feasible practices for increasing Ca levels in the fruit.Objective 3:Evaluate if Ca fertilization can increase Ca content in cranberry fruit and firmness. Two methods of application will be compared: foliar applications from early bloom to early fruit development stages and soil application postharvest to increase plant Ca reserves.