Study of the Characteristics of Mountain Apples Resisting Carbon Dioxide Damage Based on Water–Nitrogen Coupling

Abstract

The apples are prone to CO2 damage during storage and damage the economic interest of fruit growers. Irrigation and nitrogen application can affect the quality of the fruit and the storage capacity of the fruit. The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of five irrigation levels (W0, 0; W1, 40–55% θf, where θf is the field water capacity; W2, 55–70% θf; W3, 70–85% θf; and W4, 85–100% θf) and four nitrogen applications levels (N0, 0; N1, 200 kg N hm–2; N2, 400 kg N hm–2; and N3, 600 kg N hm–2) on eating quality, physiological changes, phenolic acid content, and pulp microstructure of “Hanfu” apples damaged by CO2 stress during storage. Our results indicated that mild deficit irrigation (70–85% θf) and medium nitrogen (400 kg N hm–2) were recommended to better resist CO2 injury.