Post‐harvest chemical treatments for the control of storage disorders of apples

Abstract

SUMMARYImmersion of apples of the varieties Cox's Orange Pippin and James Grieve for 1 min in solutions of calcium chloride or nitrate reduced the incidence of bitter pit and senescent breakdown that developed during air storage at 3 °C. Calcium nitrate treatments decreased the severity of superficial scald in both Bramley's Seedling and Cox apples probably by slightly delaying the rate of senescence. Calcium chloride caused unacceptable levels of damage when applied to Cox and Grieve at concentrations above 0.125 M; this injury was enhanced in Cox when benomyl was added to this strength of solution. Bramley's Seedling apples were more sensitive to calcium injury than Cox, especially in the presence of benomyl and the scald inhibitor, ethoxyquin; diphenylamine did not increase calcium injury. Calcium nitrate caused more damage to Cox than equimolar concentrations of the chloride without improving the control of bitter pit. Virtually no damage occurred when Cox and Grieve apples were immersed for 10 min in 0.125 M calcium nitrate at 45 °C. The incorporation of calcium in warm water treatments to control rotting and scald may delay sensecent breakdown in heat‐treated apples.