VOG apple guide

VOG, the Association of South Tyrolean Fruit Growers' Co-operatives based in north-east Italy, has published an updated edition of 'South Tyrolean Apple Varieties. Colour & Quality', a book first published in 1995 which provides in-depth information on how to measure apple quality.

Edited once again by Kurt Werth, an internationally renowned expert on the apple sector, the updated version of the manual is available from the start of September and specifies the standards for grading the quality of the fruits based on their external properties.

Over 200 photos help to define parameters relating to the shape, colour and skin characteristics of all of the varieties produced in South Tyrol and currently on the market, helping to facilitate the grading of Class 1 and Class 2 produce in accordance with European Union standards.

Each apple variety is the focus of a double-page spread with 10 photos showing premium fruit on the left and inferior quality specimens on the right. The most common defects are covered, including damage due to disease, parasites and hail.

In addition to documenting the external characteristics of the fruit, an appendix contains in-depth information on optimal harvest periods and storage conditions, enabling industry professionals to optimise the management of each step of the fruit's life-cycle, from planting and harvesting to warehouse storage.

VOG chairman Georg Kössler says he believes the book will appeal to anyone in the industry concerned with the quality that underpins not only South Tyrolean apples but those grown in all parts of the world.

“All of our fruits are grown in accordance with Agrios guidelines on integrated pest management, which guarantee the quality of the South Tyrol apples PGI and Marlene-banded apples,' he explains. “These brands are the expression of a production philosophy which is concisely and comprehensively summarised in the pages of this book.”

By updating the publication, VOG wanted to demonstrate that apple quality is measurable, commented VOG director Gerhard Dichgans. “This book brings together the accumulated experience of the experts in our association, in determining the fundamental properties for evaluating the quality of the fruits. It is a useful tool both for technicians and for commercial operators whose job is to price the apples.'

This year in South Tyrol over 5bn apples have been harvested and each of them is unique in terms of shape, colour and skin finish, underlines the book’s author, Kurt Werth. “Nature knows no standards, but with the help of this book we are trying to reduce its complexity, adopting parameters which define variations that are useful for our work,” he concludes.

The new edition of ‘South Tyrolean Apple Varieties. Colour & Quality’ is published in three languages and can be ordered by visiting the www.vog.it website or by sending an email to info@vog.it.