Can Mineral Analysis be Used as a Tool to Predict ‘Braeburn’ Browning Disorders (BBD) in Apple in Commercial Controlled Atmosphere (CA) Storage in Central Europe?

Abstract

‘Braeburn’ apples stored in controlled atmosphere (CA) frequently present internal flesh browning physiological disorder which is commonly referred as ‘Braeburn’ Browning Disorder (BBD). Apples from different orchards, years or site conditions can vary considerably in their sensitivity. The aim of this research was to evaluate the relationship between the mineral status of ‘Braeburn’ apples before-harvest (18 days) and at early and normal harvest, to correlate the data with the BBD incidence found in apples post storage and to investigate possible reasons for differences in disorder sensitivity. Fruits from seven orchards in the Lake Constance area (South-Western Germany) were harvested at two picking dates and the mineral content was measured before-harvest, at-harvest and during storage. Fruit were stored at 1.5 °C under CA conditions (1 kPa O2 and 0.5 kPa CO2) using either a 10 days or a 24 days delayed establishment of CA conditions. Fruit were evaluated after 6 months of storage plus 10 days of shelf life at 18 °C for mineral status and the browning disorder incidence. Results indicate no significant changes of the mineral concentrations in the fruit during CA-storage. Significant correlations between the post storage BBD incidence with K, and in some cases also for the K/Ca ratio and for P at-harvest were found.