Berry size potentially influences the skin-to-pulp ratio in fruit. As the location within a berry of important flavour and aroma compounds varies, it can be anticipated that berry size may influence the relative proportions of these compounds in the fruit and, ultimately, the juice.

Differences in berry size due to different levels of fertilisation do not appear to affect the skin:flesh ratio. Cell division in the epidermis probably continues to the point of veraison, while that in the pericarp (flesh) ceases approximately 30 days from flowering. In contrast, changes in berry size due to factors such as water stress will influence the ratio.

Using a micro-press, berries of different diameters are to be pressed, after which juice release patterns and flavour and aroma concentrations will be measured.

To investigate the influence of berry size and ripeness on changes in fruit composition in different parts of the fruit (extracted from Annual Report 2005-06)

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