Effect of reflective aluminum and polyethylene mulch on morphological and biochemical properties of nectarine fruit, cv." Sun King"

Food quality, marketability, soluble solids, size and color of nectarine fruit is affected by the intensity and amount of direct sunlight. Usually the outer areas of fruit trees get enough light and take the appropriate color. However, in the middle and lower part of trees, due to low light intensity, fruits have no good color and taste and their marketability were not desirable. To improve the quality of fruits that were in the middle and lower parts of canopy, using PET and aluminum reflective mulch in a commercial orchard in the city of Sari was studied. Evaluated characteristics were anthocyanins, antioxidants, soluble solids, acidity, total phenols, flesh weight, kernel weight, fruit firmness, fruit size and diameter. Results showed that reflected light from the aluminum and polyethylene mulch into the canopy increased significantly fruit weight, flesh weight, fruit diameter, anthocyanins, antioxidants and polyphenols contents. Performance of fruits at aluminum mulch was better from the points of color, sugar content, fruit weight and phenolic contents than polyethylene one. Overall, results showed that the use of reflective mulch could improve quality of nectarine fruit.