Abstract
Haskap (Lonicera caerulea L.) is a relatively new berry crop in North America, and little research exists regarding its postharvest storage characteristics or storage life. Postharvest changes in berry quality, and principal factors limiting storage life at 1.1 °C and 95% relative humidity, were evaluated up to 14 days for three cultivars in 2019 and up to 28 days for six cultivars in 2020. Containerized berries were periodically assessed for soluble solids content (SSC), skin rupture force (SRF) (both 2019 and 2020) and flesh firmness, titratable acidity (TA), and Brix/acid ratio (B/A) (2020 only). External appearance was also evaluated both years, revealing berry shrivel as the primary factor negatively impacting visual appeal, followed distantly by low incidence of spoilage later in storage. All cultivars exhibited relatively constant postharvest SSC and decreasing SRF, flesh firmness, and TA (resulting in increasing B/A ratio). Postharvest quality differed slightly between years; relative SRF was consistent among cultivars while SSC was not. Some cultivars had a portion of shriveled berries at harvest, pointing to a need for cultivar-specific harvest indices. Mean days to slight shrivel for individual berries varied among cultivars evaluated, ranging from 7.5–21.9 d postharvest, with mean weight loss ranging from 1.2%–1.6% at this stage. Combined with group marketability estimates — set at a threshold of 10% severely shriveled berries — we estimate a storage life of 7–10 d for fresh haskaps. Additional research is needed to delineate maturation physiology and optimize harvest timing.
Highlights
Haskap (Lonicera caerulea L.) is a shrub in the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae) with blue berries that are exceptionally high in antioxidants and have numerous documented health benefits, including antiinflammatory and anti-diabetic properties (De Silva and Rupasinghe 2020; Rupasinghe et al 2018; Rupasinghe et al 2012; Viljoen et al 2012)
Haskap production is not currently tracked by government entities in the United States, a western-region survey indicated that respondents’ orchards were typically less than 5 acres (Kuo and Garg, unpublished, 2020). Both commercial plantings and nursery stock available for retail purchase include North American varieties bred in the last 20 years by breeding programs led by Dr Maxine Thompson and Dr Bob Bors (University of Saskatchewan) (Bors et al 2015; Bors et al 2009; Bors et al 2012; Thompson and Barney 2007; Thompson 2006, 2016a, 2016b, 2016c, 2016d, 2017a, 2017b; Thompson and Chaovanalikit 2003), with the germplasm sourced for their programs originating from Japan, the Kuril Islands, Russia, and Canada
Since appearance is a primary driver for consumer decisions to purchase produce (Cook 2002; Kays 1991), we examined postharvest berry quality characteristics and external visual factors influencing storage life of haskaps
Summary
Haskap (Lonicera caerulea L.) is a shrub in the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae) with blue berries that are exceptionally high in antioxidants and have numerous documented health benefits, including antiinflammatory and anti-diabetic properties (De Silva and Rupasinghe 2020; Rupasinghe et al 2018; Rupasinghe et al 2012; Viljoen et al 2012). Haskap production is not currently tracked by government entities in the United States, a western-region survey indicated that respondents’ orchards were typically less than 5 acres (Kuo and Garg, unpublished, 2020) Both commercial plantings and nursery stock available for retail purchase include North American varieties bred in the last 20 years by breeding programs led by Dr Maxine Thompson and Dr Bob Bors (University of Saskatchewan) (Bors et al 2015; Bors et al 2009; Bors et al 2012; Thompson and Barney 2007; Thompson 2006, 2016a, 2016b, 2016c, 2016d, 2017a, 2017b; Thompson and Chaovanalikit 2003), with the germplasm sourced for their programs originating from Japan, the Kuril Islands, Russia, and Canada. Due to the recent introduction of these cultivars, detailed or cultivar-specific horticultural management guidance is limited
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