Exporting fumigated nectarines by van container

Abstract

California nectarines, not treated with post-harvest fungicides, were commercially fumigated with methyl bromide and were shipped by van container to Japan. They were evaluated for condition after arrival. Shipments took from 15 to 18 days from the time they left the packing house until they cleared plant quarantine and customs in Japan. Fruit temperatures remained below 3°C during transportation, but were exposed to higher temperatures at both the US and Japanese ports. More fruit of the cv. Summer Grand was affected with methyl bromide injury than the cv. Red Diamond, but the severity of the injury on affected fruit was greater for the latter. In addition, commercially fumigated nectarines were held in laboratory tests simulating commercial surface shipment conditions. Nectarines were held for two weeks at 1°C. After one additional week at either 10 or 20°C, this fruit retained an average of 44% and 11% of its firmness, respectively. Similar fruit held for three weeks at 1°C and one additional week at 10 or 20°C retained 48% and 12% of its firmness, respectively.