The influence of cold storage on sweet orange during simulating marketing time

Abstract

Citrus fruits were stored in ambient condition (20 ± 2 o C), 2 o C, 6 o C and 10 o C for 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days, respectively. Data was recorded at 15 days interval in before Simulated Marketing Time (SMT) and an additional 72 hours time after SMT up to 60 days. Highest increase in disease incidence occurred in sweet orange fruits stored for 60 days in ambient condition followed significantly by oranges stored at 2 oC for similar storage duration. At the end of 60 days storage, lowest increase in weight loss was recorded in oranges stored at 2 o C. Increase in electrolytes leakage was steady in all storage temperatures up to 45 days storage durations. Beyond 45 days storage the electrolytes leakage registered the highest significant increase in sweet oranges stored at 2 o C for 60 days storage period, manifesting the onset of chilling injury. Whereas, lowest electrolytes leakage was found in sweet oranges stored at 10 oC for 60 days. At storage period of 60 days, the highest increase in disease incidence was found in sweet orange fruits stored in ambient condition followed by oranges stored at 2 o C. Oranges stored at 10 o C exhibited lowest increase in disease incidence. It was concluded that sweet oranges cv. Blood Red could be stored for 45 days in cold storage condition and beyond this period, oranges suffer chilling injury and could be effectively stored for longer durations (60 days) at 10 o C.