3.1. Red blush and export-grade fruit
The red blush on the fruit was significantly increased by delay
in harvest, irrespective of year and location of fruit production
(Fig. 1A–D). Delayed harvest significantly increased the production
of export-grade fruit in 2004 both in Perth Hills and Donnybrook,
and in 2003 only in Perth Hills (Fig. 1A–D). Percent red blush on the
surface of fruit harvested from Perth Hills, between 189 and 231
DAFB in 2004, was almost 2-fold higher than those harvested at
their corresponding harvest dates in 2003 (Fig. 1A and B). The fruit
harvested from Donnybrook exhibited red blush on about 53–58%
of the fruit surface at CM, whereas those harvested 2–6 weeks later
about 63–78%, in both years (Fig. 1C and D).