The Effect of Aminoethoxyvinylglycine and Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere on the Storage of ‘Bartlett’ Pear

Abstract

Storage trials of 4 and 8 months’ duration, using ‘Bartlett’ pear (Pyrus communis) fruit treated with and without aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) and stored using ultra low oxygen (ULO) storage (1.5 kPa O2) versus dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA) (≈ 0.6–0.7 kPa O2) based on chlorophyll fluorescence were conducted over 2 years. AVG applied preharvest and DCA storage produced pears with significantly lower respiration, ethylene, acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate and ethanol post-storage compared to the other treatment combinations. Lower volatiles reflected a higher level of fruit quality. AVG + DCA also exhibited greater green color and firmness retention than the other treatment combinations. There were few disorders in both years of study, with no correlation with field and storage treatments, with the exception of pear scuffing, which was only present in year 2. The incidence of scuffing was positively associated with both fruit softening and yellowing, with DCA + AVG showing the lowest incidence (10%) and ULO + control, the highest (65%). Softening occurred during the shelf life period, as required, and was not an issue for any treatment combination. However, uneven degreening was a concern for fruit treated with DCA + AVG (mainly when firmness at harvest was > 85 N). Future research on higher maturity levels at harvest or reduced AVG rates could address this concern.