Responses of Daminozide-treated ‘Delicious’ and ‘Idared’ Apples to Simulated Low-ethylene CA Storage

Abstract

Abstract Daminozide-treated and non treated ‘Delicious’ and ‘Idared’ apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) were stored for 7 to 7.5 months in simulated low-ethylene (<1 μl·liter−1) or normal-ethylene (500 μl·liter1) controlled-atmosphere (CA) storage. The simulated CA storage was a flow-through CA storage in 19-liter jars at 0°C. The storage atmosphere contained 2.5-3% O2, 3% CO2, 94-94.5% N2, and nearly 100% RH. Nontreated ‘Delicious’ and ‘Idared’ apples did not respond to low-ethylene CA, except that low-ethylene CA reduced the incidence of storage scaled on ‘Delicious’ apples. Daminozide-treated ‘Delicious’ apples did not respond to low-ethylene CA; the apples being firm after both low-ethylene and normal-ethylene CA storage. The response to low-ethylene CA by daminozide-treated ‘Idared’ apples was a reduced rate of softening of the apples after storage. The daminozide treatment significantly suppressed the ethylene production of both cultivars of apples in simulated low-ethylene CA storage. Chemical names used: butanedioic acid mono(2,2-dimethylhydrazide)(daminozide).