Long-term refrigerated storage of swedes

Abstract

SummarySwedes cv. Laurentian Purple Top from nine commercial crops grown on a range of soil types during the four seasons 1982–85 were stored, with or without post-harvest dipping in benomyl or iprodione (0.5 g l−1 a.i.), in an ice-bank cooled store at 0.5°C, 97–98% r.h. or a conventional direct expansion cooled store at 2.0–2.5°C, 90–95% r.h. Storage weight losses were lower, and roots remained firm and turgid with no regrowth after 34–38 weeks in the ice-bank store, whereas those in the conventional store were flaccid with obvious leaf and root regrowth after only 25–28 weeks. The major source of wastage, spreading soft rots caused by Botrytis cinerea, were controlled by both fungicides, although smaller lesions caused by Phoma lingam were controlled more effectively by benomyl. In most crops, the highest recoveries (80–100% after 25–28 weeks, and 73–97% after 34–38 weeks) suitable for processing were from benomyl-dipped roots in the ice-bank store. The practical applications of long-term ice-bank stora...