Fruit position on the tree affects development of anthocyanin and fruit quality in wax apple

Twenty-one-year-old 'Pink' wax apple (Syzygium samarangene, Merr. et Perry) trees with bald cut cultivation system were used for this study. Fruits and fruiting shoots were harvested at commercial maturity in late December. Fruit position on the tree had a marked influence on fruit quality of the wax apple. Fruit on the lower trunk had the heaviest weight and largest volume of fruit tested from 9 positions on the tree. Fruit from the upper-inner canopy had the lowest fruit weight and volume but reddest color. For high soluble solids concentration, it is desirable to harvest fruits from the lower-inner position. Within-tree management practice is suggested to reduce the variation in fruit quality.