Influence of rootstock on fruit entity, quality and antioxidant properties of fresh apricots (cv. ‘Pisana’)

The influence of two commercial Prunus rootstocks (‘Myrabolan 29/C’ and apricot ‘Seedling’) on fruit entity and quality of ‘Pisana’ apricot cultivar (Prunus armeniaca L.) was evaluated over two consecutive crop seasons. The effect of rootstock on the total antioxidant capacity, total phenols and physicalchemical traits of fresh apricots was studied at the ready-to-eat stage and after 14 days at 4 °C cold storage. The rootstocks had no significant influence on the flowering and fruiting entity but affected some fruit quality traits. The ‘Myrabolan 29/C’ appeared to induce the highest fruit weight, total antioxidant capacity and total phenols. The results showed an important role of the climatic conditions in determining the fruit antioxidant content. A drought ripening period improved the antioxidant potential of fruit independently of the rootstock. After cold storage, apricot fruits maintained good levels of antioxidants.