The objective of this study was to analyse fruit quality through consumers’ perceptions and their preferences revealed by two panel questionnaires. Among the most common apple cultivars on the Romanian markets, were chosen the ones existing simultaneously and continuously (over two-years, during January-March): ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Braeburn’, ‘Granny Smith’, ‘Red Delicious’, ‘Jonagold’, ‘Jonathan’, ‘Florina’, ‘Idared’. The consumers’ panel for sensory evaluation was represented by students, who completed two types of questionnaires. Both questionnaires refer to foremost traits for dessert apple, such as fruit appearance (size, shape, color) and intrinsic peculiarities (pulp consistency, juiciness, taste, flavor). First questionnaire comprised different scales for the traits (1-3, 1-5 or 1-15), while the second one consisted of the hedonic scale (1-9) for all traits. For commercial appearance of the fruits were highlighted ‘Idared’, ‘Granny Smith’, ‘Braeburn’ and especially ‘Jonagold’. ‘Braeburn’ was distinct by the highest quality taste (average grade 13.9 on the scoring taste scale 1-15) and also for fruit flavor. ‘Granny Smith’, a commercially attractive-looking fruit, received only an average of 6.2 for taste and 2.6 for flavor. ‘Granny Smith’ presented the largest value for the coefficients of variation for taste, this variety being preferred less by female than male tasters. Inconsistency of the market, prices and foreign assortment on Romanian market was illustrated by the lack of statistical correlations between commercial fruit quality and price. The study could provide useful background information for apples breeders, farmers and marketing fruits strategy. The use of different scales for panel evaluation, dependent on the relevance of traits, might be a proper solution for reducing bias. In this case, the 1-15 large scale for apple taste compared with lower ones for other traits assured a more appropriate image of the tasters’ preferences.

Apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) represent one of the most widely cultivated and consumed fruits globally, with significant genetic diversity among cultivars. This study aimed to evaluate the morphological, biochemical, and organoleptic characteristics of 34 apple cultivars, including ancient Romanian varieties, internationally old and modern cultivars, and new selections. The assessment was conducted to identify valuable traits for breeding programs and commercial applications. Morphological analysis revealed significant variation in fruit size, shape, and weight, with international ‘classic’ cultivars exhibiting larger dimensions on average. Biochemical profiling indicated notable differences in moisture content, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and carotenoid levels, with some traditional cultivars demonstrating high nutritional potential. Texture analysis showed variations in peel hardness, flesh firmness, and toughness, influencing storage capacity and consumer preference. Organoleptic evaluations highlighted the superior sensory attributes of cultivars such as ‘Golden Orange’, ‘Jonathan’, ‘Kaltherer Böhmer’, and ‘Golden Delicious’, which ranked highest in terms of taste, aroma, and juiciness. Statistical analyses, including principal component and hierarchical clustering analyses, further distinguished cultivars based on their physicochemical and sensory profiles. The findings emphasize the importance of genetic diversity in apples in maintaining a resilient and sustainable assortment. This study provides valuable insights for breeding programs and for orchard, market, and apple industry development. We also highlight future directions, promoting the conservation and strategic use of both traditional and modern cultivars.

Cultivar and production conditions influence the quality of apple fruits, and morphological, biochemical, and organoleptic attributes of apples can vary significantly even within the same cultivar. Numerous factors determine the commercial appearance of apples, as well as their nutritional and gustatory value. By comparing eight apple cultivars across different cultivation environments, this study highlights significant variations in tree growth, fruit yield, and quality. The findings reveal that super-intensive systems optimize land use and enhance yield efficiency but may impose physiological constraints that affect fruit size and biochemical composition. ‘Starkrimson’ and ‘Golden Delicious’ cultivars recorded the highest production in the intensive system, while ‘Granny Smith’ performed best in the super-intensive orchard. ‘Pinova’ demonstrated the highest yield efficiency, supporting its suitability for high-density plantations. Biochemical analyses confirmed substantial variability in dry matter, sugar content, and mineral composition, emphasizing the role of ecological and agronomic factors in shaping fruit quality. Sensory evaluations identified ‘Pinova’ and ‘Golden Delicious’ as the most appreciated varieties, reaffirming the importance of sweetness, texture, and aroma in consumer preferences. The study underscores the necessity of integrating genetic, environmental, and sensory analyses in apple research to optimize production and breeding strategies. These findings contribute to the advancement of orchard management practices, ensuring sustainable apple cultivation while maintaining high fruit quality for commercial markets.

Evaluating cultivar susceptibility to biotic stressors in apple orchards is essential for selecting genotypes adapted to local conditions and for designing effective plant protection strategies. This study conducted a comparative assessment of five apple cultivars (‘Florina’, ‘Jonathan’, ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Pinova’, and ‘Idared’) in response to major fungal diseases (Venturia inaequalis, Podosphaera leucotricha, and Monilinia spp.) and insect pests (Eriosoma lanigerum, Quadraspidiotus perniciosus, Anthonomus pomorum, Aphis spp., and Cydia pomonella). The cultivars were monitored over a five-year period in six orchards located in Central Transylvania, Romania. Significant differences in phytosanitary behavior were recorded among cultivars and locations. ‘Florina’ consistently showed the highest tolerance to pathogens and pests across all sites and years, while ‘Jonathan’ and ‘Golden Delicious’ proved highly susceptible, particularly to apple scab, powdery mildew, aphids, and codling moth. Pest incidence was strongly influenced by temperature, while disease occurrence was more closely linked to precipitation patterns. Heritability analysis indicated that genetic factors played a substantial role in shaping cultivar responses to most biotic stressors. The integrated approach to cultivar–location–pathogen and pest interactions offers practical insights for optimizing orchard protection strategies under variable ecological conditions.