<p><strong>Richland, WA</strong> - The Mohr Digi-Test 2 computerized penetrometer, a device designed by Mohr and Associates that helps test apples for crispness, will soon be hitting the market. The prototype for the MDT-2 dates back to 1999. In the late 1990's, the demand came for an accurate, repeatable way of measuring fruit maturity to enhance industry-wide fruit quality and competitiveness with emerging foreign agricultural markets. This demand led to the cultivation of the Mohr Digi-Test (MDT) line of fruit penetrometers and texture analyzers; instruments that accurately characterize the internal structural maturity of apples and other tree fruit, states web and promotional materials. The MDT-1 is in use by both the industry and academia for research. The MDT-2 is an improvement on the MDT-1 and will offer the same qualities but with further enhancement. The device offers a simple procedure, the measuring and computing device has a rod that inserts into the apple and the device's software calculates the data.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> To anticipate how taste changes in storage, the company considers fruit pressure and crispness, a couple of the elements the device assesses. Tests generate graphic and statistical output. The MDT-2 offers a touch screen and features available by download. Research on the device has been published in the electronic HortTechnology journal. Promotional materials boast that, "MOHR MDT‐2 Series instruments are the industry's most capable portable agricultural firmness testers, featuring unmatched precision, unique texture analysis capabilities, intuitive data visualization tools, and rugged portability." Some of the other produce items the MDT-2 will do testing for are pears, grapes, cherries, kiwis, tomatoes, potatoes and watermelons. The device not only tests for crispness, but for complete fruit maturity data. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>www.mohr-engineering.com</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
