Fruit quality: updated definition and modern methods of assessment

The fruit appearance, the size and some organoleptic quality parameters have a strong influence on consumer acceptance. The most appreciated parameters are certainly the size, the sweetness and the color of the fruit skin. Other parameters are important as related to the processing destination of the fruit. Some of these parameters as the size and the skin color can be improved with the cultural management and are here reported some examples (i.e. PGRs application and protected cultivation). Finally the main standard and innovative devices for characterizing the main quality parameters are listed.

DOI: 10.26353/j.itahort/2019.1.4149

Keywords: fruit quality traits, methods to enhance fruit quality and ripening homogeneity, innovative methods of determination, protected orchard, PBRs