Storage of UK apples without post-harvest chemical treatment - the problems and possible solutions.
Johnson, D. S.;
The post-harvest treatment of fruit and vegetables: controlled atmosphere storage of fruit and vegetables. Proceedings of a workshop, Milan, Italy, 22-23 Apr. 1993. Year: 1994 Pages: 69-75 Ref: 20 ref.
1994
บทคัดย่อ
ABSTRACT :
Alternative non-chemical strategies for controlling fungal rots and superficial scald in stored Cox's Orange Pippin and Bramley's Seedling apples, respectively, are discussed. The use of catalytic ethylene converters delays the onset of scald appearance as does maintaining store O2 concentration at 1% or less. A combination of these techniques appears to eliminate scald. High CO2 concentration appears to have little effect on scald development in static controlled atmosphere (CA) systems but is necessary for maintaining Bramley fruit quality. CA storage necessarily restricts store ventilation and increases humidity, and thereby increases scald susceptibility. Further research is required to optimize these factors for minimum scald risk whilst maintaining fruit quality. Climatic data provide a potential means of predicting scald risk and will be a vital component of a non-chemical scald control strategy. The requirement to maintain aerobic respiration in stored fruits limits the use of low O2 to
control both scald and fungal rots. The latter developed on Cox's Orange Pippin apples stored at 0.75% O2, albeit to a slightly lesser extent than at 1 or 1.25% O2, and ethylene scrubbing had no benefit in terms of rotting although fruit softening was retarded. Since high store humidity enhances rot development, further work is required to identify critical periods for increased evaporation and the rate of water loss required to minimize rotting whilst maintaining fruit quality. It is suggested that the emphasis for control of storage rots should be on pre-harvest factors affecting host susceptibility to rotting and inoculum dispersal. Careful selection of fruit for storage and late fungicide sprays applied in the orchard may be effective alternatives to fungicide drenching.