Determination of the Harvest Date and Ripening Phase of ‘Seolhyang’ Strawberry

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality characteristics of ripe fruit based on harvest date and to examine the ripening phase of ‘Seolhyang’ strawberry suitable for room temperature, cold-chain, and low temperature distribution. The strawberries were harvested six times between December 20 to May 9. The appropriate maturity of strawberries is characterized by the firmness of approximately 2.9–3.0 N, and SSC remained above 8.6 °Brix until March and declined after April. The quality index values that determine the maturity stage of strawberries should be red color, Hunter a value ranging from 32 to 37, and hue angle of 36-45°. For the after-ripening experiment, the progression rate of the ripening stage determined based on strawberry color was 10%/day at room temperature, 5%/day at 10-12°C, and 3%/day at 5°C. Thus, strawberries should be harvested at 80% coloring stage for distribution at room temperature and at least 90% for low temperature storage to maintain the merchantability. Besides, strawberries harvested at 70% coloring stage at room temperature and strawberries harvested below 80% coloring stage at low temperatures below 5°C had lost commercial value before reaching 100% coloring stage.