Yield and fruit quality attributes of apple cultivars under semi-arid conditions of Türkiye: comparison of organic and conventional production systems

Aim of study: This study was conducted to compare the fruit quality and yield characteristics of six apple cultivars grown organically and conventionally under semi-arid ecological conditions in Center Anatolia of Türkiye. Area of study: Organic and conventional apple orchards, Konya, Türkiye. Material and methods: In organic and conventional apple orchards, ‘Buckeye Gala’, ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Granny Smith’, and ‘Jeromine’ cultivars were planted on M9 rootstock at a distance of 0.80 m × 3.2 m, and ‘Red Chief’, and ‘Scarlet Spur’ cultivars were planted on MM106 rootstock at a distance of 1.0 m × 3.2 m in 2002. The yield characteristics and fruit quality analysis were studied in two consecutive years (2019/2020 and 2020/2021). Main results: Organic and conventional cultivation systems had different effects on the yield and fruit quality characteristics depending on the apple cultivars. The yield per tree and the yield per hectare were higher for the organically grown ‘Jeromine’, ‘Red Chief’, and ‘Scarlet Spur’, while they were higher for the conventionally grown ‘Buckeye Gala’, ‘Granny Smith’, and ‘Golden Delicious’. The values of fruit size were higher for organically grown ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Red Chief’, ‘Scarlet Spur’, and ‘Jeromine’. The highest values for total soluble solids (TSS) and acidity (except for Granny Smith and Golden Delicious) were obtained in organic production system. In addition, the fruit peel color of ‘Jeromine’, ‘Red Chief’, and ‘Scarlet Spur’ was redder, and of ‘Granny Smith’ was greener in the organic production system compared to conventional ones. Research highlights: ‘Jeromine’, ‘Red Chief’, and ‘Scarlet Spur’ cultivars were remarkably suitable for organic apple cultivation under semi-arid ecological conditions in Centeral Anatolia of Türkiye.