Role of lenticel morphology, frequency and density on incidence of lenticel breakdown in ‘Gala’ apples

Lenticel breakdown is a skin disorder of apples occurring around the globe. Symptoms of this physiological disorder can be observed only after harvest. Prevalent on the variety ‘Gala’, especially ‘Royal Gala’, it is also observed on the varieties ‘Fuji’, ‘Granny Smith’, ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Delicious’. Lenticel breakdown is influenced by a combination of factors that include cultivation and handling practices, however the causes have not yet been determined. The motivation for the present research was to investigate the morphology and anatomy of lenticels, evaluating fruits at different stages of development. Fruits were evaluated from three different orchards in the Western Cape, South Africa, on an attempt to relate physical and morphological aspects of the fruit to the environment of the different regions. There is an indication that factors that influence fruit growth and cuticle development, e.g. relative humidity and temperature, are directly linked to lenticel breakdown. The lack of lenticel breakdown on the seasons studied limited our conclusions.

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► Different cultivation sites presented differences in number of lenticels per fruit.
► The developmental stages of lenticels followed the fruit developmental stages.
► Lenticel breakdown appear to be influenced by fruit and cuticle development.
► Factors related to the development of the fruit play an important role.