Effects of Tufted Apple Budmoth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) Injury on Quality and Storageahility of Processing Apples

Abstract

A study was done to determine the impact of tufted apple budmoth (TABM), Platynota idaeusalis (Walker), feeding injury on the quality and storageability of ‘Yorking’ apples destined for processing markets. Apples were evaluated according to USDA standards for processing. Quality measurements such as soluble solids, firmness, weight loss, and decay were determined at harvest and at various intervals during regular and controlled atmosphere storage. Most TABM-injured fruit remained as a U.S. #1, thus not impacting the grower’s financial return. At harvest, soluble solids in uninjured and injured U.S. #1 fruit did not differ, but soluble solids were significantly lower in uninjured fruit than in U.S. #2 (cider or cull apples). Weight loss was significantly higher for injured apples compared with uninjured apples at all regular storage periods. Percentage of decayed fruit among TABM injured apples was significantly higher than among uninjured fruit in regular storage after 6 mo and in controlled atmosphere storage after 9 mo. In general, TABM injury tended to accelerate fruit maturity and decrease fruit quality during storage.