Experiments to validate the inner quality concept

In both studies the apples were grown in the biodynamic orchard Boomgaard ter Linde in the south-western part of the Netherlands. We used full grown apple trees of the Dutch variety Elstar on dwarf rootstock M9,2460 trees/ha, grown on limey humus sea loam with trickle irrigation. The experiment was replicated four times. 

We measured many properties of the soil, the growing trees and the apples after harvest and after storage. The results were studied in relation to the management factors and mutual correlations were computed. This procedure enabled us to contribute to the validation of the IQC (step 3, Table 5.3), the validation of new parameters (steps 5 and 6) and the evaluation of orchard management. Details of the methods and results of the apple series are described elsewhere (Bloksma et al., 2001, 2004). Here, we mention only some of the results that are relevant to the IQC. 

Parameters for tree differentiation are autumn colours and bud formation (with equal bearing). Parameters for fruit differentiation are degree and hue of blush, yellow ground (background) colour, shape of fruit, sheen, starch conversion, differentiation score on crystallisation pictures and luminescence. 

The results found in the literature and from these experiments enabled us to select parameters which may give an indication of the degree of integration. These are resistance to diseases and pests, overall taste, phenols, ratio of proteins to free amino acids (physiological amino acid status), integration score on crystallisation pictures and species-typical colour ratio in spectral-range luminescence. 

The biocrystallisation pictures of apple juice from progressively riper fruits showed increasing openness towards the periphery. Looking at ripening as 

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