measurement methods of soil, water, plant and fruit, in berry ... - NJF

NJF SEMINAR NO 333
MEASUREMENT METHODS OF SOIL, WATER, PLANT AND
FRUIT, IN BERRY AND FRUIT GROWING
29 – 30 November 2001
The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Working group: Fruit
Optimal content of soil, plant and fruit constituents, as well as water content of soil is basic
for fruit and berry growing to get optimal growth, high yield and quality. To indicate amount
of these constituents by sampling and analysing soil and plant products, several methods and
equipment are used in various countries. Also, the results are often used in different ways and
guidelines by advisors. Thus, it would be excellent if we could find more uniform sampling
methods, better evaluation of results and uniform guidelines.
On the other hand, several questions about fruit and berry production and storage should be
answered according to Nordic countries conditions:
How to activate warning systems to prevent insects and fungi attack, by means of right use of
meteorological data?
How to determine and describe optimal quality for storage?
Which kinds of methods are usable to evaluate winter hardiness and bud quality in the cold
Nordic climate that stress the plant and deteriorate tree and bud?
The mean objective of the seminar is to bring together scientists, advisors and other persons
working with fruits and berries to discuss problems with methods for sampling and analysis,
equipment and evaluation of the results.
Content:
Nils-Arthur Ericsson. Comparison of soil-N and leaf-N and use of the hydro N-tester.
Lis Sørensen. Monitor and evaluate fertigation with “FertiReg” in fruit and berry experiments.
Thomas Olsson. Sampling, analysis and interpretation of nutrients levels in Apples
Ingemar Månsson. Leaf- or sap analysis? A comparison of strong and weak points.
Marianne Bertelsen. Preliminary results with Aweta Acoustic Firmness Sensor.
Ibrahim Tahir. Estimation of optimum harvest date for apples by more practical method.
Lars Sekse, Ursula Wermund, Sigrid Flatland and Eivind Vangdal. Firmness in plumscomparisons
of three different testing methods.
Kimmo Rumpunen.Protocol for screening of pectins in fruits of Japanese quince
(Chaenomeles japonica).
Christer Tornéus. Meteorological data for warning systems and fruit storage.

Ivar Dencker and Bjarne Hjelmsted Pedersen. Size and water content of spur buds in ‘Lapins’
sweet cherry on 27 different rootstocks. Poster.
Ivar Dencker and Torben Toldam Andersen. A methodology for studies of dormancy and
water content of floral buds in sour cherry cv. Stevnsbær. Poster.
Leena Lindén, Pauliina Palonen, and Timo Hytönen. Evaluation of Three Methods to Assess
Winterhardiness of Strawberry Genotypes. Poster.
In memoriam, Nils-Arthur Ericsson.

COMPARISON OF SOIL-N AND LEAF-N AND USE OF THE
HYDRO N-TESTER
Nils-Arthur Ericsson
SLU, Division of Top Fruit Growing
P.O. Box 97, SE-277 21 KIVIK
New growing systems with precise nutrition via fertigation allow us to regulate the input of
nutrients to soil and leaves for optimum shoot and fruit growth. This can be done both in
accordance to amount of nutrients and in accordance to different times during the season. It is
also obvious that leakage of nutrients can be prevented by precise fertigation. This however
needs a rapid estimation of the nutrient content in leaves. New forms of rapid analysis must
be used.
Formerly leaf content of minerals was determined by dry-matter analysis. The leaves were
sampled in august. The results were relatively rough and could not be used in the orchard
before next year. To day we have other methods. Plant Sap analyses is one of them. It gives
the content in plant sap in one or two days. Another form of estimating nitrogen in leaves is to
estimate the chlorophyll content in one way or another.
Optimum shoot and fruit growth is depending on maximum transformation of sunlight into
available energy. The “bio-catalyst” for this reaction is chlorophyll. Optimum plant growth is
therefore related to optimum chlorophyll content in leaves. The leaf chlorophyll content can
be measured by ordinary laboratory technique – extraction and using spectrophotometer. The
chlorophyll content can however also be estimated momentarily by The Hydro N-Tester.
This instrument measures the light transmittances of the leaf at 650 nm and 960 nm
wavelength, red and near infrared chlorophyll absorption.
Results from a trial with fertigation with different amounts of nitrogen to apple trees,
cv. Amorosa and comparison between soil-N and leaf-N estimated by different analytical
methods are presented at my presentation in the seminar.

MONITOR AND EVALUATE FERTIGATION WITH
“FERTIREG” IN FRUIT AND BERRY EXPERIMENTS
Lis Sørensen
Department of Horticulture
Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences
DK-5792 Aarslev, Denmark
Lis.Sorensen@agrsci.dk
Introduction
Fertigation in fruit and berry experiments needs to be monitored and evaluated repeatedly to
control that the planned strategy is achieved. An Excel spreadsheet, “FertiReg” (Fertigation
Registration), was therefore developed to improve monitoring and evaluation of fertigation in
fruit and berry experiments.
Facilities in FertiReg
FertiReg is developed for fertigation with Dosatrons. The program includes sheets that allow
calculations of various fertigation factors. Nutrient concentration in the stock solution can be
calculated as well as the setting of Dosatrons and irrigation time. This is based on expected
number of days with irrigation combined with water and nutrient demand of the plant. Only
water gauge readings are entered into FertiReg during the fertigation period. All other
information can be entered prior to the growing season. Tables and graphs of water and
nutrient supply on weekly and monthly basis are automatically generated (figure 1). A direct
comparison between the planned and achieved fertigation strategy is presented. When
experimental lots are to receive equal amounts of water, deviations from this can be
monitored on a weekly basis. Tables with water and nutrient supply can be used when
reporting experimental conditions after completion of the experiment.
Results and conclusion
The first season using FertiReg was 2001. Improved control of the fertigation was achieved
during the growing season. Time was saved as nutrient and water supply was already
computed for use in e.g. lectures or reports. More facilities, e.g. soil water content, may be
included in the future. FertiReg can also be used in commercial fruit production and has been
introduced to Danish growers.
Supplied kg N/ha
20.0
18.0
16.0
14.0
12.0
10.0
8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Week
StrategyA
StrategyB

Figure 1. Graphical presentation of weekly nitrogen supply for two fertigation strategies. The graph is
automatically up-dated during the growing season. A maximum of six fertilisation treatments can be
handled in each file.

SAMPLING, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
OF NUTRIENTS LEVELS IN APPLES
Thomas Olsson
AnalyCen Nordic AB
Box 9024
291 09 KRISTIANSTAD
email thomas.olsson@analycen.se
Background
Knowledge of the nutrient status in apples during different growing stages is of great
importance since it might answer questions regarding malnutrition, fertilisation strategy
sensory quality aspects and storability. Since the final amount of analysed sample is very
small (few grams) much care must be taken on sampling and further subsampling.
What parameters causes variation?
Representative samples from a given field with one variety must include variations such as
topography, soil chemistry, sunlight as well as water exposure. All these parameters will
effect nutrient uptake and hence effect analytical results. Another approach is to sample
different subfields with uniform conditions and analyse separately, unfortunately at higher
analytical costs. If a field is very heterogeneous regarding soil chemistry (ie different soil
types) this approach is how ever recommended.
Number of individuals.
The number of individuals is a compromise between statistical variations of nutrient content
between individual apples and practical handling of the samples regarding transport and
analytical costs. At earlier growing stages (fruitlets) nutrient variation in individuals vary
more than at more matured stages and hence greater number of individuals should be
analysed. A commonly accepted role of thumb is 40 individuals for fruitlets and 20
individuals for fruits.
Subsampling
At the laboratory the sample has to be subsampled into a smaller portion in order to be able to
handle it in the analytical equipment. From each individual two opposite slides will be taken
and put in a blender. The slides will then be thoroughly mixed to homogeneous slurry. For
apples with low water content water has to be added during mixing. The sample is then ready
for further analysis.
Digestion
When analysing for total content of nutrients organic matter has to be removed without any
loss of nutrients. Different methods are used involving dry ashing, acid digestion, microwave
supported acid digestion. We are using closed vessels microwave supported acid digestion.
The method gives short digestion times and losses can be avoided. The amount of samples
actually analysed is from 3 – 20 grams depending on method used.
Measurement
The final detection and quantification of the nutrients are carried out with means of ICP-
OES, ICP-MS and for nitrogen automatic distillation.
Uncertainty

The total uncertainty in the results is a combination of the “errors” arising in the different
steps involved. Studies on how much the different steps is effecting total error have been
performed on different sample types but to my knowledge not specifically on apples.

LEAF- OR SAP ANALYSIS ?
A comparison of strong and weak points
Ingemar Månsson,
LMI AB, Sweden.
Abstract
Leaf analysis is compared with Sap analysis on general principles. The second half of the
article is a subjective evaluation of strong and weak points based on 55 years of experience.
Background
In all plants nutrients are present in 2 forms. Partly as dissolved inorganic salts, these are raw
material necessary for further growth. Partly as organic products such as proteins, chlorophyll
and enzymes.
The conventional leaf-analysis measures everything in the sample, both raw material and
finished products. Results are given / kg dry matter.
Sap analysis measures only the raw material and results are given as mg/l.
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Leaf analysis
% or mg/l, does it matter?
Plant material contains varying amounts of sugar, starch and cellulose. These carbohydrates
do not contain plant nutrients, but they affect the weight of the dry sample.
The practical effect of this is that leaf analysis will show lower nutrient levels as
carbohydrates increase. Normally carbohydrate content increases with age, why
optimumlevels of nutrients will change drastically during the year. This effect is so strong that
it is necessary to strict regulate what parts are to be sampled, also the developementstage has
to be included in order to evaluate the result. To get reliable references involves a lot of
analysis and work. Specific references for different varieties might be necessary.
Sap analysis is not affected by above variations. Differences in reference values between
varieties are rare.
Total content or raw material ?
OPTIMUM VALUES
Sap analysis
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39

Leaf analysis shows all nutrients accumulated during the lifetime of the leafs. In order to
minimise 'history' and show the present nutrient situation, the 5:th leaf from the top is often
chosen as base for the analysis. If a deficiency limits growth it takes time for the leaf analysis
to indicate the reason. Either the leaf has to increase weight, or the limiting nutrient has to be
translocated to other parts of the plant. Both processes are slow. Excess is shown faster as no
growth is necessary.
Sap analysis measures only inorganic nutrients. Both deficiencies and excesses are shown by
the analysis within days after some change in uptake. The changes can be big as levels can
vary between 0 and decades above optimum level. For correct evaluation of a sample, greater
attention must be directed to the relation between elements.
The methods are completely different. Experiences from one method cannot be applied to the
other without caution.
Matchstart
To answer the question in the headline a comparison will be made on some important points.
Sampling
Both methods have demands on what parts has to be sampled. This is more critical for
leafanalysis, where also developementstage has to be identified.
Sap samples should be taken at full turgor and without dew or rain on the leafs. This limits
sampling to suitable weather. After sampling Sap-samples must be protected against
evaporation and arrive at the lab within days.
It is easier to take and transport a leaf-sample why leaf analysis wins, 1-0.
Time of analysis
Sap analysis takes less work in the lab and thus is normally faster.
Sap analysis wins, 1-1.
References
Worldwide most references are for leafanalysis. On this point there is no contest.
Leaf analysis wins, 2-1.
Interpretation
In spite of the advantage in available references for leaf analysis the interpretation of sap
analysis is less likely to be wrong.
The sap method is 'error' tolerant as variatons for many elements is big, a small analytical
error does not affect the interpretation.
For a disturbed culture that does not follow 'normal' development, references for leafanalysis
can be directly misleading.
For iron most scientists agree that leaf-analysis often show a invers correlation to a visible
deficiensy, whereas sap has a positive correlation.
Sap wins 2-2.
Harvest
As sap shows a more current nutrient status the odds increases that a treatment has positive
effect on the harvest. For a practical grower this is the most important point.
Sap wins 2-3.
Analysis price
As Sap takes less work in the lab the price should be lower.
Sap wins 2-4.

Conclusion
For scientists wanting to calculate total nutrient uptake only the leaf analysis can give the
answer.
If the object of research is root-uptake, root breathing, ion antagonism a.s.o. the sap method
gives a more direct result.
For long cultures with little maintenance, such as forestry, short time variations are of less
interest and leaf analysis is the best choice.
For practical growers and advisors working with intensely maintained crops the Sap analysis
is the best tool.

PRELIMINARY RESULTS WITH AWETA ACOUSTIC
FIRMNESS SENSOR
Marianne Bertelsen
Department of Horticulture
Research Centre Aarslev
Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences
Marianne.Bertelsen@agrsci.dk
The grading company Aweta is currently developing a firmness sensor (AFS) that employs
sounds as a tool to measure firmness. A probe gently taps the fruit and the ensuing sound is
picked up by a microphone and transformed into a firmness-value. The firmness value is
weight specific and the fruit is weighed simultaneously with the sound recording. The
University of Gent has developed the mathematics behind the sound to firmness conversion,
but no details were available with the purchase of the AFS. The AFS measurement is nondestructive,
enabling consecutive measurements of the same fruit during storage. The AFS is
currently being tested at different research Institutes, but ultimately it is the goal of the
company to equip commercial graders with the AFS.
At Research Centre Aarslev we have tested the AFS as part of our standard fruit quality
evaluation program. The equipment is easy to handle and large quantities of fruit can be
handled in a short time. Fruit weight is determined with a 1-2 g uncertainty, which suffices for
most purposes. The AFS-value of individual fruits have been found to decline in response to
softening of the fruit under shelf life conditions. For a number of apple varieties and for the
'Clara Frijs' pear we found no correlation between the AFS-value and fruit firmness measured
on the peeled fruit using a penetrometer. Despite the lack of correlation, the newest version of
the AFS-program includes a conversion feature between AFS and penetrometer values.
Fruit size appear to affect the AFS value, small fruits exhibit lower AFS-values than large
fruits.
In one case, pear fruits were found to be firmer after 5 days of shelf life than they were
straight out of cold storage.

ESTIMATION OF OPTIMUM HARVEST DATE FOR APPLES
BY MORE PRACTICAL METHOD
Ibrahim Tahir
SLU, Section of Top Fruit Production-Kivik
Box 97, 277 21 Kivik-Sweden
ibrahim.tahir@hvf.slu.se
Picking fruits in optimum date, is the best way to carry out high quality and minimum losses
during storage. However the determination of this date is cultivar and production-area depend,
and this situation causes many difficulties at the choosing of the accurate ripening index.
Various maturity indexes have been used to estimate the last save harvest date for long- term
storage. Many investigations showed that ethylene production and / or respiration rate were
most useful. According to these results, the long of safety period can not be shorter than one
week and no longer than four weeks. ( Faragher & Brochier 1981, Liu 1978). Whereas
measurement of ethylene production is not practical for the growers, many other indexes were
used such as : days from full bloom, flesh firmness, soluble solids concentration, starch test,
acidity, color, skin wax and ease of separation from spurs. The purpose of this work is to
examine the accuracy of three practical ripening indices ( firmness, solid soluble
concentration and starch content ) by correlation with storage results and ethylene production.
Material and methods
Fifteen trees / cultivar ( Aroma, Cox´s Orange Pippin and Ingrid Marie) were mentioned
randomly in Kiviks orchard during the seasons 1993 – 1997. Fruits were picked ( 12
fruits/tree) early in the morning twice a week, during the period between end of August and
end of October. At all of picking times, a lot of 30 fruits were analyzed and 150 fruits hold on
2-3C , 90% RH. After 15 weeks of storage, fruits were removed, quality parameters, fungal
decay, and disorders controlled.
Analyses:
Flesh firmness by Penetrometer.
Solid soluble concentration by refrectometer.
Ethylene production by gas chromatography.
Ground and superficial color by Minolta Chromameter CR 200.
Starch content by Iodine –test.
Acidity by titration.
All data were subjected to analysis of variance, using the Microsoft Excel 5 spreadsheet.
Results & Discussion
During the five seasons, the flesh firmness and starch content of the three cultivars fruits
decreased with maturation as well as solid soluble concentration increased. Our results
showed that there was a period of fruit development, distinguished by very slow changes in
these ripening parameters. This period that was 2- 4 weeks long, intervened two
other development’s phases when the changes in the same parameters took place in higher
rates.
To control our conclusion in correlation with storage results, we found that fruits which
picked during these weeks had better storability than other fruits. ( Table 1 – 3 ) However,
slow change in the three parameters was not always a good index to predict storability, since
we found fruits with slow change that had bad storability and also fruits with faster changes
which had good storability. Due to this problem we shortened the period and found that

picking fruits when the changes in these three parameters together took place very slowly,
was the best index of optimum harvest date.
Any increasing in the change rate could be a useful indicator to estimate the end of safety
harvest period.
On the other hand, increasing of ethylene production started two weeks later. ( Fig 1-3 )
Picking fruits in this period ( climacteric or post climacteric point ) increased damaged fruits
by 12,5% ( about 20 000 SEK/ ha ). Also, picking fruits two weeks earlier caused loss that
reached more than 12 000 SEK/ ha.
Finally, this suggested method, which need more study, can be a primary useful index for the
grower to safe their yield.
Fig 1. Controlling accuracy of harvest date indexes in Aroma apples
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3
Decay IEC
1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3
Decay IEC
Fig 2. Controlling accuracy of harvest date indexes in Cox´s Orange Pippin apples

25
20
15
10
5
0
1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3
Decay IEC
3. Controlling accuracy of harvest date indexes in Ingrid Marie apples.
1 = Two weeks earlier 2 = optimum harvest period 3 = Two weeks later

FIRMNESS IN PLUMS – COMPARISONS OF THREE
DIFFERENT TESTING METHODS
Lars Sekse¹, Ursula Wermund², Sigrid Flatland¹ and Eivind Vangdal¹
¹Planteforsk, Ullensvang Research Centre,
N-5781 Lofthus, Norway
e-mail: lars.Sekse@planteforsk.no
²Imperial College at Wye, University of London, Wye,
Ashford, Kent TN25 5AH, UK
Firmness is an important quality factor in plums, often related to taste and shelf life. Different
methods can be used to measure firmness in stone fruits. At Ullensvang Research Centre three
different instrumental methods to measure firmness were tested during the 2001-season, and
compared to a method judging firmness pressing the fruits between two fingers.
The Durofel ® is a manual Shore-type non-destructive penetrometer that has a plunger of
diameter 0.25 cm² connected to a sensor measuring the superficial contraction of the fruit
surface.
The PNR10 ® penetrometer has a needle with a sphaeric end with diameter 0.50 mm and a
total weight of 115 g. The needle is placed in vertical position tangentially to the fruit surface
and is then allowed to penetrate into the fruit surface for 15 seconds, driven by its total
weight. The distance measured represents a measure of the firmness of the fruit surface.
Fruit firmness in stone fruits can also me measured using the fingers to gently squeese the
fruit, giving scores for firmness on a scale rating from e. g. 1-5, where 1 is regarded very
hard, 3 medium and 5 very soft.
Fruit firmness of ‘Victoria’ plums were measured first with the Durofel ® instrument on the
two opposite “cheeks” of the fruits. Firmness of the same fruits were then measured on
approximately the same location on the fruit surface by PNR10 ® . The same fruits were then
tested for firmness by “the two fingers” method.
Comparisons by regression analyses showed that individual fruits had approximately the same
firmness on each of the two cheeks, measured with both Durofel ® and PNR10 ® .
When comparing Durofel ® with “the two fingers” method, the results were highly significant
as well, but gave lower value of the square of the correlation coefficient (R²). Even lower was
the straight line regression between the results of the two finger method and the means of the
paired PMR10 ® measurements, but still highly significant.
When comparing the results from the two penetrometers, a clearcut curvature in the
regression plot was observed, the straight line fitting was high and significant, but the
observed results fitted much better to a quadratic regression model accounting for the line
curvature, and even better to a model incorporating the logaritmic values of the PMR10 ®
measurements.
The results indicate that fruit firmness in plums measured by the two penetrometers correlates
more or less well with “the two fingers” method, while comparing the two penetrometers
showed that converting results from one type of measurement to another can not similarly be
made on the basis of straight line regression fitness.

PROTOCOL FOR SCREENING OF PECTINS IN FRUITS OF
JAPANESE QUINCE (CHAENOMELES JAPONICA)
Kimmo Rumpunen
Balsgård - Department of Horticultural Plant Breeding, Swedish University of
Agricultural Sciences, Fjälkestadsvägen 123-1, 291 94 Kristianstad, Sweden.
Tel.: +46-44-75533; fax: +46-44-75530.
E-mail address: kimmo.rumpunen@hvf.slu.se (K. Rumpunen)
Abstract
An important component of fruit dietary fibre is pectins, which have well documented health
benefits and industrial applications. Estimating content of pectins in plant material is,
however, difficult because of their complex composition and because of their association with
other cell wall materials. In this paper a combined enzymatic and HPLC method is presented,
that recently was validated for analysis of galacturonic acid (GalA) in alcohol-insoluble solids
(AIS), and in pectins, extracted from fruits of Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica). The
enzymatic/HPLC method proved to be useful as a simple and efficient screening method since
a very high correlation was obtain between GalA estimates of the fruit and the AIS content of
acid extracted pectins in Japanese quince.
Keywords: Alcohol-insoluble solids; Galacturonic acid; Pectins; Screening method; Uronic
acids
Introduction
Pectins are widely used in various foods as gelling or thickening agents, and are at present
commercially extracted by hot dilute acid, mainly from citrus fruits. Pectins are considered as
valuable components of dietary fibres since they are able to reduce blood plasma cholesterol
levels and provide other health benefits to humans (Sungsoo Cho and Dreher 2001). Fresh
fruits are a valuable source of pectins. The content of pectins in fruits is therefore important,
and should be considered also in plant breeding.
In breeding, efficient screening methods are needed to enable analysis of large number of
genotypes. Quantitative extraction of pectins in plant material is, however, difficult because
of their complicated chemical nature and because of their association with other cell wall
materials. The extraction method as such affects the yield and composition of pectins and
therefore also presents problems and may induce artefacts. In those pectins, which are
composed mainly of GalA polymers, e.g. apple pectins (Voragen et al. 1995), analysis of the
GalA monomers may be a method to estimate the total amount of pectins present in the
sample. Furthermore, the content of GalA appears to be more stable during fruit ripening than
the content of extractable pectins (e.g. in apple, Fischer and Amadò 1994). GalA is usually
analysed colorimetrically after acid hydrolysis (Thibault 1979). The colorimetric method can
only be used for analysis of purified samples, which make it less efficient as a screening
method in plant breeding, and therefore enzymatic methods have been advocated.
In this paper a combined enzymatic and HPLC method is described. The method has
recently been validated for analysis of galacturonic acid (GalA) in alcohol-insoluble
solids (AIS), and in pectins, extracted from fruits of Japanese quince (Chaenomeles
japonica) and for screening of pectins (Rumpunen et al. 2002). Japanese quince is
presently studied and developed as a commercial crop in a joint north-European plant
breeding program. Japanese quince is a dwarf shrub belonging to Maloideae

(Rosaceae). It has firm fruits that are rich in aroma, juice and dietary fibres (Rumpunen
et al. 1998, Thomas et al. 2000).
Protocol
A protocol for the combined enzymatic and HPLC analysis of GalA in alcohol-insoluble
solids (AIS), pectins and fruit flesh (as published in Rumpunen et al. 2002):
Sample preparation
Pick a representative number of fruits, 3-5 may be sufficient. Remove seeds from the fresh
fruits, cut the fruits in pieces (appr. 2 cm), mix and freeze the sample. Homogenize the sample
while still frozen (e.g. by a Büchi mixer B-400), and keep the sample at -20°C until analysis.
Enzymatic degradation
Put triplicates (or duplicates) of 2 g of homogenized samples in test tubes with 5 mL of a 2%
solution (in distilled water) of Rapidase ® Press (Gist-brocades 1998) for enzymatic
degradation. For AIS 40 mg, and for pectin 20 mg, is used in duplicates, and 2.5 mL of the
enzyme solution is added. Shake the test tubes and incubate for 3 h at 48°C in a water bath.
Transfer the slurry to a 200 mL E-flask, and make up with 0.0125 M H2SO4. Let stand for 10
min and filter approximately 2 mL of the clear fraction through a 0.45 m Acrodisc particle
filter (GELMAN). Collect the filtered sample directly in an HPLC vial.
HPLC assay of galacturonic acid
For separation of organic acids use an Aminex HPX-87H column, 300 x 7.8 mm (Bio-Rad), a
30 x 4.6 mm guard column (Cation H cartridge, Bio-Rad), and a UV-detector (210 nm). Keep
the column temperature at 60°C and use 0.0125 M sulphuric acid as mobile phase at an
isocratic flow of 0.6 mL per minute. Identify GalA by comparing retention times with a
standard. Inject external standards before and after each set of 10 samples. Express the GalA
content as anhydrogalacturonic acid (using the polymeric factor 0.907).
Discussion
The combined enzymatic and HPLC method has been validated for analysis of galacturonic
acid in AIS and pectins extracted from AIS of Japanese quince fruits (Rumpunen et al. 2002).
The results of the validation and its conclusions are here reproduced and discussed.
The content of alcohol-insoluble solids (AIS, roughly corresponding to the content of dietary
fibres) was in average 30 g/100 g dry weight (3.5 g/100 g fresh weight) in fruits of Japanese
quince. This is similar to previously reported data (Thomas et al. 2000), but much higher than
in apple (12.6 g/100 g dry weight or 2 g/100 g fresh weight, Renard et al. 1991; Massiot et al.
1994).
UA and GalA in AIS
The enzymatic/HPLC and colorimetric methods appeared to produce directly comparable
estimates of UA/GalA in AIS since no significant difference was detected between the
methods, and there was no significant interaction between genotype and method. AIS of the
Japanese quince fruits contained 20.4% UA, estimated colorimetrically, and 20.0% GalA,
estimated by the combined enzymatic/HPLC method. However, since UA in AIS also contain
a small amount of glucuronic acid (less than 5% of total UA, Thomas et al. 2000), and the
enzymatic degradation may not be complete (Massiot and Renard 1997), slightly higher
estimates were expected from the colorimetric method. The reason that no significant
difference was obtained between the methods could be that the pre-hydrolysis of AIS may
have resulted in slight degradation of the GalA (decarboxylation).

Pectins in AIS
The AIS contained in average 26 g/100 g dry weight acid extractable pectins, corresponding
to a content in the fruit of 0.9 g pectins/100 g fresh weight or 11 g pectins/100 g dry weight.
The range noticed among the genotypes (23.0–30.4 g/100 g dry weight) is large and should
make it possible to improve yield through selection of genotypes with high content of pectic
substances.
UA and GalA in pectins
There was a significant difference between the methods for UA/GalA estimates in pectins but
no significant interaction between genotype and method. Thus anyone of the two methods
could be used to estimate uronic acids in pectins.
In pectins, the content of UA was in average 63% dw, and the content of GalA 57% dw. The
reason for the higher estimates obtained by the colorimetric method (about 10%) may be that
the used enzymes were not able to completely degrade the pectins (Massiot and Renard
1997).
GalA in fruits
The combined enzymatic/HPLC method revealed significant differences between genotypes
in content of GalA when homogenized frozen fruit samples were analysed. The ranking of the
genotypes was consistent regardless of whether fresh weight or dry weight estimates were
used. Furthermore, the ranking of genotypes was also consistent with the ranking of
genotypes based on content of acid extractable pectins.
Correlations
Between content of GalA in fruits estimated by the combined enzymatic/HPLC method, and
content of acid extracted pectins, a high correlation (R=0.89) was obtained based on dry
weight. Between estimates based on fresh weight an even higher correlation was obtained
(R=0.93). UA were not assayed colorimetrically in fresh fruit samples because of the presence
of interfering compounds which exclude the colorimetric approach. By contrast, the combined
enzymatic/HPLC method is most useful for this purpose. At the same time other important
organic acids like malic and succinic acids can be analysed with this method, thus enabling
detection of multiple compounds and reducing screening costs.
Selection of a proper column for HPLC separation is most important. The Aminex HPX-87H
column produces highly reproducible results, can be used for years with limited maintenance
and provides good separation for a range of compounds. However, the Aminex HPX-87H
column has one drawback: citric acid elutes close with GalA, which may cause problem if this
compound is present in detectable amount. This problem could be avoided by use of another
analytical column.
It would be interesting to validate the comparatively easy and fast enzymatic/HPLC method
for analysis of other raw materials, e.g. apple. In case of apples, there is no reason why the
combined enzymatic and HPLC method shouldn’t work, since it has been shown that pectins
in Japanese quince are very similar to pectins in apples.
Acknowledgements
I thank Dr Maud Thomas, Dr Jean-Francois Thibault and Nancy Badilas, INRA, Nantes, who
made the validation of the combined enzymatic and HPLC method possible, in a fruitful cooperation.
The cited study was carried out with financial support from the Commission of the
European Communities, Agriculture and Fisheries (FAIR) specific RTD programme, CT 97-
3894, ’Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica) - a new European fruit crop for production of
juice, flavour and fibre’. It does not necessarily reflect its views and in no way anticipates the
Commission’s future policy in this area.

References
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development and postharvest ripening. Part 1: Analysis of the alcohol-insoluble residue.
Carbohydrate Polymers, 25, 161–166 (1994)
GIST-BROCADES. Rapidase ® Press. Product sheet, 1998/04/29 (1998)
MASSIOT, P. AND RENARD, C. M. G. C. Composition, physiochemical properties and
enzymatic degradation of fibres prepared from different tissues of apple. Lebensmittel-
Wissenschaft und -Technologie, 30, 800-806 (1997)
MASSIOT, P., BARON, A. AND DRILLEAU, J. F. Characterisation and enzymatic
hydrolysis of cell-wall polysaccharides from different tissue zones of apple. Carbohydrate
Polymers, 25, 145–154 (1994)
RENARD, C. M. G. C. AND THIBAULT, J. -F. Composition and physico-chemical
properties of apple fibres from fresh fruits and industrial products. Lebensmittel-Wissenschaft
und -Technologie, 24, 523–527 (1991)
RUMPUNEN, K., KVIKLYS, D., KAUFMANE, E. AND GARKAVA, L. Breeding
Chaenomeles - a new aromatic fruit crop. Acta Horticulturae, 484, 211–216 (1998)
RUMPUNEN, K., THOMAS, M., BADILAS, N. AND THIBAULT. J.-F. Validation of a
combined enzymatic and HPLC method for screening of pectins in fruits of Japanese quince
(Chaenomeles japonica). Lebensmittel-Wissenschaft und –Technologie, (2002, in press).
SUNGSOO CHO, S. AND DREHER M.L. Handbook of dietary fibre. Marcel Dekker, Inc.,
New York (2001)
THIBAULT, J.-F. Automatisation du dosage des substances pectiques par la methode au
méta-hydroxydiphényl. Lebensmittel-Wissenschaft und -Technologie, 12, 247–251 (1979)
THOMAS, M., CRÉPEAU, M. J. C., RUMPUNEN, K. AND THIBAULT, J.-F. Dietary fibre
and cell-wall polysaccharides in the fruits of Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica).
Lebensmittel-Wissenschaft und -Technologie, 33, 124–131 (2000)
VORAGEN, A. G. J., PILNIK, W., THIBAULT, J.-F., AXELOS, M. A. V. AND RENARD,
C. M. G. C. Pectins. In: Stephen, A. M, Food Polysaccharides and their applications. New
York: Marcel Dekker, pp. 287–339 (1995)

METEOROLOGICAL DATA FOR WARNING SYSTEMS AND
FRUIT STORAGE
Christer Tornéus
Swedish Board of Agriculture
christer.tornéus@sjv.se
Summary
Weather data, as a basis for estimating various biological developments, has become an
important resource in our efforts to produce food with more environmental-friendly methods.
Several soft wares deal with plant diseases and pests or are used as decision support tools for
plant nutrition management. Some soft wares for weather data presentation and disease
prediction are mentioned.
A management system consists of three parts; a model based on biological research, a
collecting system for weather data and software for combining those into a user-friendly
interface.
Mainly three different types of weather stations are used in Sweden; Metos, Adcon and
Campbell. Some discriminating features are presented. They are used either as stand-alone
instruments or in smaller networks. At least one of the systems has options that make it
suitable for storage room monitoring. Weather data can also be obtained from SMHI
(Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute). Whether the sensors should be placed in
or near the crop, or according to the rules for “normal” stations used by public institutes like
SMHI, is another important issue. A project (Lantmet) is going on with the main object to
gather weather data in one place and make it accessible on the Internet.
Other items discussed in this lecture are weak points in the field part, especially leaf wetness
sensors and relative air humidity sensors. Some systems calculate the leaf wetness periods and
there are two types of sensors used, with two different ways of presenting the leaf wetness
status. The importance of high quality system maintenance and a validation system for the
database is also emphasized.

SIZE AND WATER CONTENT OF SPUR BUDS IN ‘LAPINS’
SWEET CHERRY ON 27 DIFFERENT ROOTSTOCKS
Ivar Dencker
KVL, Department of Agr. Sci., 2630 Tåstrup, Danmark
Bjarne Hjelmsted Pedersen
DJF, Kirstinebjergvej 10, 5792 Årslev, Danmark
During the last decades many rootstocks have been tested in sweet cherry (Prunus avium),
and the search for a dwarfing rootstock with good compatibility continues in rootstock trials
in most parts of the world. Traditionally, rootstocks are evaluated in long-term trials by their
yield efficiency, but it is also known that the rootstock affects both fruit set and frost
hardiness of cherry trees. Fruit set ability is related to floral bud size in several tree fruit
species, and the frost hardiness of cherry buds depends on their water content during the
freezing period. The present investigation was carried out to test the rootstock effect on bud
size and bud water content in 3-year-old sweet cherry cv. Lapins on 27 different rootstocks.
The buds were sampled in November 2000 after complete leaf abscission but before the first
night frost. Only lateral buds from spurs shorter than 2 cm were included. The spurs were
situated on 2-year-old wood and had at least three floral buds. Buds were broken off, put into
sealed plastic tubes, placed directly on ice and brought to the lab for fresh and dry matter
determination.
The average bud size was significantly affected by rootstock and ranged between 15 and 25
mg dry matter. Many of the rootstocks from the Giessen breeding program had very large
buds, the nine rootstocks with the largest buds all being Gisela selections. Especially, the
Giessen hybrids of Prunus canescens turned out to have large buds on the spurs. The two
Czech rootstocks P-HL-A and P-HL-B both had very small buds. There was not any clear
relationship between known rootstock vigor and bud size. Bud water content ranged between
114 and 137 (measured as percentage of dry matter) and was affected by rootstock as well.
The six rootstocks with the highest water content were all dwarfing or semi-dwarfing.
Especially Piku 4.20, P-HL-B and the Weiroot selections 53 and 158 had high water contents
in the buds, and those four could all be separated from 17 rootstocks with a water content
below 121 percent. The usability and importance of early testing methods in rootstock trials in
sweet cherry are discussed.

A METHODOLOGY FOR STUDIES OF DORMANCY AND
WATER CONTENT OF FLORAL BUDS IN SOUR CHERRY
CV. STEVNSBÆR
Ivar Dencker, KVL, Agrovej 10, 2630 Taastrup, Danmark
Torben Toldam Andersen, KVL, Agrovej 10, 2630 Taastrup, Danmark
The sour cherry ’Stevnsbær’ suffers severely from bud damages during winter in both
Denmark and Sweden. The floral mortality may exceed 90 percent on annual shoots. It is now
known that this bud damage can occur already in December, being caused by night frosts of
only –6 to –9 0 C in both year 1999 and 2000. It is also known that there is a strong negative
relationship between the water content of the flower bud and the actual frost hardiness. This
experiment was carried out to study the water content and dormancy of flower buds in
‘Stevnsbær’ during autumn and early winter year 2000-2001. In the period August-January,
lateral flower buds were sampled from the base and tip of annual shoots of trees from
different irrigation and fertilizer treatments. The buds were put into sealed plastic tubes,
placed on ice and immediately brought to the lab for fresh and dry matter determinations.
Furthermore, in September-January shoot pieces from the same dates and trees as above were
forced for six days at +20 0 C in a climate chamber, whereafter the buds were broken off and
weighed as in the field samplings. During autumn a major decrease in the water content of
flower buds was recorded in all treatments. Lateral buds near the shoot tip had a markedly
higher water content than buds at the shoot base, and this difference persisted throughout the
sampling period. The forcing of buds under optimized growing conditions showed that buds
remained dormant only until the middle of November. From late November and throughout
the rest of the sampling period forced buds turned green and swelled distinctly, and
simultaneously such forced buds had a sharp increase in water content. Bud dormancy was
gone in late November in all treatments. The lack of bud dormancy in December may explain
the comprehensive bud damages occurring in Stevnsbær: A warm period in the beginning of
December (as in year 2000) may force the buds, increasing their water content and
subsequently a sudden but not very severe freeze (as in year 2000) would cause frost
damages. The usability of water content measurements in floral buds to predict frost hardiness
is discussed.
Poster

EVALUATION OF THREE METHODS TO ASSESS
WINTERHARDINESS OF STRAWBERRY GENOTYPES
Leena Lindén, Pauliina Palonen, and Timo Hytönen
Department of Applied Biology, Horticulture, P.O. Box 27,
FIN – 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
In northern regions, winter injury is a frequent problem in strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa
Duch.) production. Controlled freezing tests provide an option for screening of winter
survival potential in different genotypes. In this study, winterhardiness of strawberry
genotypes was evaluated by three low-temperature procedures: an artificial hardeningdehardening-rehardening
program accompanied by freezing tests, prolonged freezing test, and
cold hardiness measurement of field-grown plants. Rooted runner cuttings of five Junebearing
strawberry cultivars and three new selections were tested in the course of two years.
Relative winterhardiness of the genotypes could not be predicted by the hardeningdehardening-rehardening
program employed in the present study. Prolonged freezing at –6 ºC
yielded promising results, whereas storage at –4 ºC and –8 ºC failed in discrimination
between genotypes. Field-grown plants were sampled for cold hardiness measurements in
January, March, and April. The genotypes were best differentiated in January, at a fully
acclimated state. The results indicate that strawberry winterhardiness can be evaluated by
testing differences in the ability to survive lengthy exposure to sub-lethal low temperatures, or
by applying conventional freezing tests to measure cold hardiness in different genotypes after
field acclimation.

In Memoriam
Nils-Arthur Ericsson
Med Nils-Arthur Ericsson bortgick den 10 december 2001 en av märkesmännen inom svensk
fruktforskning. Inom sitt fackområde som forskare, lärare, rådgivare och författare åtnjöt han
ett välförtjänt anseende som en av de förnämsta.
För kollegor, som såg honom aktiv in i det sista, bl a som organisatör av mötet för nordiska
fruktforskare den 28 november 2001 och det efterföljande NJF-seminariet "Measurement
methods of soil, water, plant and fruit, in berry and fruit growing" den 29-30 november 2001,
kom budskapet om hans bortgång chockartat och oväntat.
Det är svårt att tänka sig att en man som med sådan kraft, energi och glädje drivit
försöksverksamheten i Kivik inte längre finns hos oss. Lika svårt är det att förstå att ett
livsslut ska komma så oväntat. Våra varmaste tankar går till de närmast anhöriga, till hustrun
Kerstin och dottern Helén med familj.
Nils-Arthur föddes den 24 april 1934 på familjegården Gryttinge 14 utanför Svalöv.
Föräldrarna var lantbrukare Eric Nilsson och hans hustru Agda. Fadern gick bort när han var
endast fyra år gammal och brodern två, varefter modern ensam drev gården vidare. Att på den
tiden vara både ensamstående mor och egen företagare kan inte ha varit lätt. Det vittnar om
stor styrka och envishet, egenskaper som också Nils-Arthur besatt.
Efter studentexamen i Eslöv följde studier vid Lantmannaskolan i Svalöv och
lantbrukshögskolan i Ultuna. Under åren på högskolan kombinerade han studierna med en
assistenttjänst på dess lantbrukskemiska institution. Redan då stod hans håg till kemin. Senare
i livet skulle han nyttja dessa kunskaper i forskningsprojekt kring fruktens kvalitet och

lagring, och fruktträdens näringsupptagning. Under studietiden i Ultuna hjälpte han också
flitigt modern hemma på gården i Skåne.
Det bör också nämnas några ord om Nils-Arthurs militära engagemang. Han genomgick
kadettskolan i Linköping och avancerade därefter till kapten i reserven. Ännu upp i
sextioårsåldern deltog han aktivt i luftvärnets årliga och veckolånga fältövningar.
Under Ultuna-tiden lärde Nils-Arthur känna sin blivande hustru Kerstin. De gifte sig 1963 och
tog året därpå gemensamt över driften av familjegården i Gryttinge. Efter ett antal år som
lantbrukare återvände Nils-Arthur till lantbrukshögskolan, denna gång till Alnarp.
Inkörsporten var en tillfällig anställning hos universitetslektor Lennart Gröné, som innebar
medverkan i ett projekt rörande skörd och torkning av lök.
När anställningen hos lektor Gröné upphörde fanns en vakans vid institution för frukt- och
bärodling. I och med att Nils-Arthur erbjöds denna tjänst var hans livsbana utstakad.
Professor Fredrik Nilsson, som blev hans mentor och lärofader, ledde honom genast in på
området fruktkvalitet och lagring. Två år senare, vid 36 års ålder, framlade Nils-Arthur sin
licentiatavhandling på detta tema. Det var under dessa första Alnarps-år som Viktor
Trajkovski lärde känna Nils-Arthur. Gemensam mentor och gemensamma forskarstudier lade
grunden till en varm och livslång vänskap.
Efter licentiatexamen följde 15 år som försöksledare i Alnarp. Under ledning av professor
Ingevald Fernqvist fortsatte Nils-Arthur nu sina kvalitets- och lagringsstudier parallellt med
de odlingstekniska fältförsöken. Detta breda verksamhetsfält inom fruktodlingens alla
områden, i praktik såväl som teori, gav honom en unik och bred kunskap inom fackområdet.
Avhandlingen "Skördetidpunktens inverkan på avkastning, frukttillväxt och kvalitet hos tre
äpplesorter" försvarades 1982. Nils-Arthur promoverades till agronomie doktor av professor
Ingevald Fernqvist, som då var promotor. Tre år efter examen fick han ett sexårigt
förordnande som forskarassistent inom ämnet frukt- och bärproduktion. Under denna period
blev han ävenledes kompetensförklarad till professuren i ämnet trädgårdsproduktlära vid
Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet (SLU), institutionen för trädgårdsvetenskap.
Under 1980-talet kom Nils-Arthur också att bli mer och mer engagerad i utbildningen.
Bl a skrev han ett uppskattat kompendium om produktegenskaper och produktbehandling hos
frukter och bär. Det var i det sammanhanget som undertecknad Inger Hjalmarsson, i egenskap
av undervisningsassistent, lärde känna honom närmare. Han ställde alltid upp närhelst hans
gedigna kunskaper efterfrågades i samband med föreläsningar, seminarier, övningar,
fältvandringar eller studiebesök. Att arbeta tillsammans med Nils-Arthur var alltid
inspirerande och roligt.
Många är de årskurser hortonom- och trädgårdsingenjörsstuderande som minns hans
lärargärning. Som exempel kan nämnas hans uppskattade insatser som baskurshandledare i
Glorias fruktodling. Ännu vid 67 års ålder deltog han i dessa övningar liksom i föreläsningar
på frukt- och bärkurserna. Under sistlidna höst försåg han också i sedvanlig ordning
kursansvariga med frukter till pomologiundervisningen. Frukterna plockade han själv från
kylarna i Kivik och lade i papperspåsar på vilka han skrev respektive sorts namn. Han hjälpte
också arrangörer av fruktutställningar med fruktprov. Hans hjälpsamhet och vilja att skapa
"good will" för svensk frukt är omvittnad.
I samband med att Stiftelsen Kiviks försöksstation bildades 1990 utsågs Nils-Arthur att vara
dess verkställande tjänsteman. Han blev även verksamhets- och vetenskaplig ledare för den

tillämpade forskningen vid Kivik, en position som han upprätthöll fram till sin bortgång.
Kivik kom att bli Nils-Arthurs "hjärtebarn".
Kiviks försöksstation tillkom i slutet av 1960-talet genom initiativ av bl a nu bortgångne dir.
Nils Wikström, vars odling blev grunden för stationen. Till en början ingick den
organisatoriskt i dåvarande södra trädgårdsförsöksdistriktet, men överfördes 1989 till
institutionen för trädgårdsvetenskap i Alnarp. Redan vid stationens tillkomst var ett av
huvudmålen att kunna provodla lovande Balsgård-sorter i större skala. Sålunda föll det sig
naturligt att stationen 1994 inlemmades i institutionen för hortikulturell
växtförädling/Balsgård under benämningen avdelningen för fruktproduktion i Kivik.
Under Nils-Arthurs ledarskap utvecklades Kiviks försöksverksamhet betydligt. Stor tonvikt
lades vid försök inriktade på att minska användningen av bekämpningsmedel. Olika
odlingssystem och fruktsorter testades för såväl IP- som ekologisk odling. Nils-Arthur
planerade fältförsöken i nära samverkan med fruktodlarna. Jämsides med detta arbete fortsatte
hans forskning rörande fruktens skörd, lagring och kvalitet. Han var med om att utarbeta
jodstärkelsetestet till att bli en rutinåtgärd för odlarna i deras strävan att bestämma rätt
skördetidpunkt, och tillsammans med Ibrahim Tahir genomförde han för svenskt
vidkommande banbrytande försök med värmebehandling av frukt i syfte att förlänga
hållbarheten.
Ibrahim Tahir, hade en ungersk doktorsexamen i bagaget när han kom till Sverige 1992.
Han ville gärna träffa en likasinnad forskare och fick rådet att kontakta Nils-Arthur. I ett brev
till denne skrev han "Eftersom jag inte kan förstå varför Gud avvisade vår förfader,
Adam från Paradiset bara för att han åt ett äpple, bestämde jag mig för att engagera mig i
äpplenas produktionslära. Idag har jag doktorsexamen inom det området utan att varken ha
hittat något svar på min ursprungliga fråga eller ha något jobb". Några dagar senare svarade
Nils-Arthur: "Kom till Malmö så kan vi diskutera båda frågorna".
Ibrahim berättar vidare: "Ända sedan vårt första möte, den 1 september 1992 tills hans
överraskande avsked nu i december, var Nils-Arthur för mig en nära vän, storebror och bästa
rådgivare. Hans lojalitet, uppriktighet, livlighet och vänlighet gjorde så att jag lärde känna
svenskarna och Sverige.
En annan sak som jag också har lärt mig är att en minut av livet är oerhört värdefullt och får
inte slösas. Och en forskare är ingen forskare fullt ut om han inte även jobbar på fältet. Jag
lärde mig dessutom att tro på ordspråket: De odlade så vi åt, och vi odlar för de kan äta. Hans
avsked har lämnat fruktansvärd sorg och enorm tomhet inom mig."
Nils-Arthur var som forskare en synnerligen utåtriktad person. Med stor omsorg välkomnades
alla som ville lära känna hans älskade Kivik. Under årens lopp passerade många besökare -
forskarkollegor från när och fjärran, odlare, studenter, utländska praktikanter, nämnder av
olika slag, SLUs ledning såväl som departementsråd och -sekreterare. Han såg till att alla fick
en ordentlig genomgång av verksamheten och helst också en kopp kaffe och en god kaka
därtill. Guidning och servering ombesörjde han själv på bästa sätt.
Det tynger oss att veta att Nils-Arthur gick bort i en tid när framtiden för avdelningen för
fruktproduktion i Kivik är mer osäker än någonsin. Han hade förberett kallelse till möte med
rådgivande gruppen för Stiftelsen Kiviks försöksstation den 5 december 2001, men mötet
måste inställas p g a hans sjukdom. Nils-Arthur hävdade bestämt att en flyttning av
verksamheten rent fysiskt till Balsgård skulle ta lång tid (10-12 år) och därtill bli en dyrbar

historia. Han menade också att en snabb avveckling av Kivik skulle innebära slöseri med
samhällets och skattebetalarnas, inklusive fruktodlarnas, pengar. Hans högsta önskan var att
fruktodlarna skulle ge sitt stöd - såväl ekonomiskt som moraliskt - till den framtida
verksamheten.
Nils-Arthur lade själv ned ett mycket stort arbete för att säkra Kiviks framtid, inte minst
arbetade han ideellt. På fritiden satt han hemma framför datorn - skrev och räknade. Hans
produktion av försöksrapporter och artiklar är imponerande, och vittnar om såväl god
författartalang som stor flit. Vid tiden för sin bortgång arbetade han med ett kompendium om
fruktträdens näringsupptagning och gödsling på uppdrag från Statens jordbruksverk.
Nils-Arthurs intresse för människor ledde också till andra engagemang. Både inom politiken
och svenska kyrkan innehade han förtroendeposter på hemorten. Sålunda ingick han sedan
1979 i kommunfullmäktige för centern i Eslövs kommun, och var under ett tiotal år
omväxlande ordförande och vice ordförande i skolstyrelsen. Fr o m 1995 tillhörde han kultur-
och fritidsnämnden.
På sin lediga tid, den lilla han unnade sig, njöt han helst av tillvaron tillsammans med
familjen. Gärna i sommarstugan i Brönnestad, där han lekte och odlade upp trädgårdslandet
tillsammans med barnbarnen Anders och Calle. Såsom varande en glad och god skåning var
han också matlagningsintresserad. Ett av minnena är att bästa marmeladen kokas på 'Reine
Claude Bålnäs'.
Nils-Arthur Ericsson skall i tacksamt minne bevaras som en livligt intresserad, vidsynt,
mångsidig och synnerligen kunskapsrik fackman. Men han efterlämnar inte bara minnet av en
skicklig och framgångsrik trädgårdsman, han var också en helgjuten karaktär, en verklig
hedersman i stort som i smått.
Vi är tacksamma för den tid som han funnits bland oss. Till hans minne har i samråd med
familjen initierats en fond.
Nils-Arthur Ericssons Pomologiska Minnesfond
Fondens ändamål är att främja pomologisk kunskap inom de områden som låg Nils-Arthur
varmt om hjärtat. Häribland säkrande av det pomologiskt historiska material som genom hans
försorg räddats till eftervärlden. Vidare ska fonden främja kunskap om fruktens kvalitet och
lagring jämte fruktträdens näringsbehov. Nordiskt samarbete inom fruktforskningen ska också
vara prioriterat.
Alla som vill hedra Nils-Arthurs minne med ett bidrag till fonden har möjlighet att sätta in
detta på Bankgironummer: 5361-4350 (N-A Ericssons Pomologiska Minnesfond).
Alnarp, Balsgård och Kivik i januari 2002
Inger Hjalmarsson
Ibrahim Tahir
Viktor Trajkovski