Controlled atmosphere and lighting effects on storage of winter cabbage

Abstract

Two late-storage cultivars of cabbage, Lennox and Bartolo, were stored in three atmospheres (% oxygen + % carbon dioxide) of air (21 + 0), 3 + 5 and 2.5 + 3 in darkness and in low light, replicated over two seasons. Samples were removed after 3 and 6 mo of storage. Cabbage heads were analyzed for storage and trim loss, disease and physiological disorders. Outer leaves of marketable heads were sampled for chlorophyll content, cell solute leakage, relative water content and colorimetric L (Lightness), hue (color) and saturation (intensity). Neither storage atmosphere nor light affected final and marketable head weights. Controlled atmosphere storage reduced disease, although disease problems were mainly superficial; penetration through the head was not enough to cause trim losses or yield reductions. Controlled atmosphere helped to retain green color in Lennox, which was less green than Bartolo. There was a beneficial effect of light on reduction of physiological disorders, indicating that future research using a higher radiation level in storage may reduce trim losses, enhance leaf color, and improve marketability of stored cabbage. Key words: Controlled atmosphere, light, cabbage, color, disease, cell leakage