Foliar Applications with SUNRED® Biostimulant Advance and Uniform Fruit Ripening in Orange and Olive

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of foliar biostimulants on fruit quality of adult 'Valencia' orange and 'Biancolilla' olive trees. Half of the selected orange and olive trees were sprayed twice before harvest with the SUNRED® commercial mix containing phenylalanine, methionine, mono-saccharides and oxylipins from plant extracts as well as potassium salts and urea. Orange and olive yields and fruit quality were measured at harvest, and fruit peel color was determined by digital image analysis. Phenolic and sensory profiles were also determined in the olive oil. In orange, the foliar spray increased TSS:acid ratio and peel color uniformity, while in olive, it increased peel color uniformity, oleocanthal, and 3,4-DHPEA-EDA and decreased oil spiciness. The results of this study suggest that foliar sprays with the SUNRED® biostimulant in pre-harvest may improve fruit quality of 'Valencia' orange and 'Biancolilla' olive by advancing and uniforming fruit ripening.