A survey of the relationships among accumulated orchard hours below 10 °C, fruit maturity, and the incidences of storage scald on 'Starkrimson Delicious' apples

Abstract

Incidences of storage scald were recorded in three seasons for 'Starkrimson Delicious' apples sampled 137, 144 and 151 d after full bloom and stored for 150 d in air at 0 °C at several North American locations. Severity of storage scald was inversely related to fruit maturity (determined by starch index) and the number of accumulated hours when orchard air temperature was below 10 °C between 100 d after full bloom and harvest. Key words: Malus domestica, climate, fruit maturity, physiological disorder, apples