Abstract
The management standard on soil conditions in 'Fuji' apple to produce high quality fruit were not yet made. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the optimum soil environmental conditions of ten contents on production of high quality fruit in 'Fuji' apple. The soil and fruit characteristics were analyzed at total 60 orchards in major apple producing areas such as Chungju, Moonkyeung, yeongju, andong, yeosan and yeongcheon (10 orchards an area). The soil environmental factors affected fruit weight was highest relative contribution in saturated hydraulic conductivity of 36.5%. The bulk density and soil pH were low as relative contribution. The fruit weight was influenced by soil physical properties more than soil chemical properties. The soil environmental factors affected sugar content were hydraulic conductivity of 28.3% and organic matter content of 18.2%. The cultivation layer depth and soil pH were low as relative contribution. The fruit coloring was highest relative contribution in saturated hydraulic conductivity 55.9%. while soil pH, cation and soil texture were low. Fruit coloring was high influenced over 70% by soil physical properties. Finally, relative contribution on fruit quality related with sugar content, fruit weight, and coloring were high influenced by saturated hydraulic conductivity of 21.% and organic matter content of 18.7% but bulk density and cultivation layer depth were low relative contribution. The fruit growth and saturated hydraulic conductivity in 'Fuji' apple were very closely related. Therefore, orchard soil management to produce high quality fruit was very importance drainage management and organic matter application. We concluded that scientific soil management is possible by qualifiable of soil management factors.
