Incidence Of Storage Disorders Research Articles

Preconditioning heat and humidity treatment for decreasing storage defects in ‘Fuyu’ persimmon

ABSTRACT‘Fuyu’ is the most cultivated persimmon variety worldwide, but it is susceptible to storage disorders. Thus, it is necessary to improve its storage quality using postharvest technologies. Here, ‘Fuyu’ persimmon fruit were preconditioned after harvest by exposing them to high temperature (30°C) and low, medium, or high relative humidity for 6 or 24 h. Fruit were stored at room temperature for 15 days or cold room (0°C) for 40 days. Subsequently, the effect of the preconditioning on the firmness, soluble solids content, and colour (Hunter a and b values) of the fruit was evaluated. Persimmon preconditioned at 30°C and low (<30%) humidity for 24 h exhibited lower incidence of storage disorders, as well as greater firmness and total soluble solids and less reddening than did fruit in other treatment groups. The results suggest that the proposed preconditioning can delay quality deterioration in ‘Fuyu’ persimmon during storage.

Manipulation of Whole-vine Carbon Allocation Using Girdling, Pruning, and Fruit Thinning Affects Fruit Numbers and Quality in Kiwifruit

We compared the long-term effects of whole-vine source-sink manipulation on yield, composition, and quality of fruit from mature field-grown kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis Planch. var. chinensis) ‘Hort16A’ vines. Four contrasting source/sink-modifying treatments were applied to vines each year from Spring 2003 to 2007: 1) control—standard canopy management techniques, no trunk girdle; 2) extended trunk girdle (ETG)—girdle was opened in late summer, kept open over winter, and allowed to heal the next spring; 3) “feast”—cropload was kept low and leaf numbers kept high, no trunk girdle; and 4) “famine”—fruit numbers were kept high and vines were heavily pruned to stimulate regrowth, no trunk girdle. Fruit from the famine vines were smaller with lower dry matter concentration (DMC; dry weight as a percentage of fresh weight) and had delayed maturity relative to fruit from the control vines. Return bloom was reduced in the famine vines, resulting in ≈42% less fruit in the famine vines compared with the feast vines, and this difference remained consistent across all three seasons. Fruit from the feast treatment were larger with advanced maturity relative to fruit from control vines; there were no differences in fruit numbers in subsequent seasons. Fruit DMC was higher and maturity was advanced in the ETG vines relative to the control vines. Fruit numbers in the ETG vines consistently increased relative to the control vines each season. There were no consistent treatment effects on fruit mineral concentrations, except that fruit from the feast vines had higher nitrogen concentrations than fruit from the famine vines. Seasonal variation in the incidence of storage disorders was large; in years when disorders were present, physiological pitting incidence was higher in fruit from the treatments that advanced maturity and the incidence of low temperature breakdown was highest in treatments that delayed maturity. Although the treatments affected vine productivity, fruit DMC, and storage performance, there was no evidence of a gradual decline in quality and productivity after 4 years of treatment application.

Effect of canopy position on fruit quality in ‘Hort16A’ kiwifruit in New Zealand

SummaryCanopies of ‘Hort16A’ kiwifruit vines [Actinidia chinensis Planch. var. chinensis] grown on a pergola were divided into six zones, two zones along the leader in a North-South direction, by three zones in an East-West direction, away from the central leader. Fruit quality was measured in each zone to determine if fruit from different positions were sufficiently different to warrant selective harvesting. Fruit weight, dry matter (DM) content, maturity (i.e., flesh colour, firmness, and soluble solids content), flesh nutrient content, and the incidence of storage disorders were measured.The experiments were carried out in three orchards in Northland, New Zealand, over 3 years. Fruit quality differences were detected between zones, but these differences were generally small and not always consistent over the three seasons. Fruit were ≤ 15 g larger in the zones furthest from the leader, in an East-West direction, and were likely to soften on the vine sooner than fruit closer to the leader, which were smaller with up to 0.3% higher DM content. Fruit further from the trunk, in a North-South direction, were ≤ 4 g larger and more susceptible to physiological pitting during storage than fruit near the trunk, which were more susceptible to low temperature breakdown during storage. The results suggested that selective harvesting of ‘Hort16A’ fruit from different canopy positions is unwarranted for commercial producers in New Zealand.

1-Methylcyclopropene Concentration and Timing of Postharvest Application Alters the Ripening of ‘McIntosh’ Apples during Storage

This study evaluated the effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) concentration (1000 vs. 625 ppb) and treatment delays (3, 7, and 10 days after harvest) on the ripening and incidence of storage disorders in ‘McIntosh’ apples from three harvest times in 2004. Apples were stored in air at 0 °C to 1 °C for 3 and 6 months or in controlled atmosphere (CA) storage at 3 °C for 6 and 9 months. Apples treated with 1-MCP and held in air or CA storage were firmer than those not treated, but this difference in firmness was less with later harvests, more delay before 1-MCP treatment, and longer storage time. Apples treated with 1000 ppb 1-MCP were often firmer than those treated with 625 ppb after 6 months of storage and/or 7 days at 22 °C. Ethylene and carbon dioxide (CO2) production were reduced in apples treated with 1-MCP, especially in fruit from the first harvest and those treated 3 days after harvest. Fruit treated with 1000 ppb 1-MCP showed a slower increase in ethylene production than those treated with 625 ppb during 14 days at 22 °C after storage. CO2 production was the lowest in ‘McIntosh’ apples treated with 1000 ppb 1-MCP 3 days after harvest, but fruit treated with 625 ppb also exhibited lower respiration than those not treated. Storage disorders were most prevalent in ‘McIntosh’ apples stored for 6 months in air at 0 °C to 1 °C, whereas fruit from the first harvest treated with 1-MCP 3 days after harvest developed the fewest disorders. 1-MCP reduced the incidence of superficial scald, flesh browning, core browning, and senescent breakdown, while 1-MCP concentration and treatment delay had varying effects. This research has provided the basis for Canadian registration of SmartFreshSM use on apples at 1000 ppb 1-MCP and for the requirement that treatment be within 3 days of harvest.

Variation in fruit quality among ‘Hort16A’ kiwifruit vines in New Zealand

SummaryWe measured fruit characteristics in 90 individual ‘Hort16A’ kiwifruit vines sampled in a grid pattern across each of three orchards (n = 270) in New Zealand to determine the variation in fruit quality between vines. Fruit fresh weight, colour, firmness, dry matter content, and fruit mineral composition were measured at harvest, and the incidence of storage disorders were scored after 24 weeks storage at 0ºC. Fruit characteristics and the concentrations of macronutrients were normally distributed within the orchards, with weak and inconsistent spatial patterns between orchards. The percentage of fruit affected by physiological pitting and low temperature breakdown (LTB) in individual vines ranged from 0 – 75%. Distributions were skewed towards a few vines with many affected fruit. In each orchard, the five most severely affected vines were responsible for 15 – 25% of the physiological pitting and 20 – 50% of the LTB recorded. There were no clear spatial patterns in the disorders, with severely affected vines adjacent to unaffected vines. Manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) concentrations in fruit were also skewed, so that a small number of vines had high concentrations. Compared with other measured attributes, relatively strong spatial patterns were found in Mn and Fe concentrations. We concluded that zonal management, to minimise variability in the quality of ‘Hort16A’ kiwifruit, is unwarranted.

Effect of inter-specific rootstocks on inorganic nutrient concentrations and fruit quality of ‘Hort16A’ kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis Planch. var. chinensis)

SummaryInorganic nutrient concentrations in leaves, xylem sap and fruit from ‘Hort16A’ kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis Planch. var. chinensis) vines grafted onto eight inter-specific rootstocks [A. deliciosa (A. Chev.) C.F. Liang et A.R. Ferguson var. deliciosa; A. eriantha Benth.; A. hemsleyana×eriantha; A. macrosperma C.F. Liang; A. chrysantha Merr.; A. kolomikta (Maxim. et Rupr.) Maxim.; A. kolomikta (Maxim. et Rupr.) Maxim.; and A. polygama (Sieb. et Zucc.) Maxim.] were measured over three seasons. The nutrients analysed were phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and boron (B). The objectives of these studies were to identify rootstocks which induced relatively high or low levels of nutrients in the scion cultivar, and to correlate the nutrient concentrations of the fruits with the incidence of storage disorders. The use of inter-specific clonal rootstocks had a substantial effect on the accumulation and concentration of inorganic nutrients in the fruit, leaves and stem sap of ‘Hort16A’ kiwifruit vines, but few consistent relationships were observed between fruit nutrient concentrations and the incidence of storage disorders. Vines on A. hemsleyana×eriantha accumulated high levels of P in their fruits, leaves and xylem sap, and high levels of Ca and Mg in their leaves and xylem sap. Vines on A. macrosperma accumulated high levels of K in their fruits and leaves. In general, vines on rootstocks with low vigour (i.e. A. polygama; A. kolomikta) accumulated relatively low levels of nutrients. The incidence of physiological pitting, a mineral-related storage disorder, was higher in fruit with lower Mg concentrations. While rootstock-induced differences in the vigour of vines had an important role in determining nutrient concentrations in fruits and leaves, some rootstocks clearly had a stronger inherent ability to absorb nutrients from the soil than others, independent of their effect on vine vigour.

Disorders in `Cortland' Apple Fruit Are Induced by Storage at 0 °C in Controlled Atmosphere

The effects of low temperature in controlled-atmosphere storage on five strains of `Cortland' apples (Malus ×domestica Borkh.) grown in Nova Scotia were investigated. The apples were held in either standard controlled-atmosphere (2.5 kPa O2 and 4.5 kPa CO2) or low-oxygen (1.5 kPa O2 and 1.5 kPa CO2) storage at 0 or 3 °C for 4 and 8 months. The results indicated that `Cortland' apples are sensitive to low temperature, but not to low oxygen or high CO2. Low temperature (0 vs. 3 °C) caused an increase in low-temperature breakdown, core browning, and vascular breakdown, while having no significant effect on fruit firmness, soluble solids concentration (SSC), titratable acidity, loss of mass, or superficial scald development. Low oxygen (1.5 vs. 2.5 kPa) or high CO2 (4.5 vs. 1.5 kPa) in the storage atmosphere had no significant effect on fruit firmness, SSC, titratable acidity, loss of mass, or the incidence of storage disorders.

Controlled atmosphere storage of ‘Granny Smith’ apples

Abstract The effect of controlled atmosphere (CA) regimens on the storage quality of ‘Granny Smith’ apples has been examined over two seasons. Fruit quality was assessed by physical parameters, incidence of storage disorders and sensory evaluation. There were small differences in fruit quality between 2% O2/2% CO2 and 3% O2/3% CO2 atmospheres, with slight advantages of 2% O2/2% CO2 in terms of titratable acidity. A 2% O25% CO2 atmosphere resulted in fruit of the same firmness as those in 2% O2/2% CO2, although titratable acid levels were lower. Compared with 2% O2/2% CO2, fruit from a 1% O2/ 1.5% CO2 atmosphere were not significantly firmer or more acid. Low (0.75%) CO2 concentrations with either 2% or 3% O2 resulted in softer fruit, suggesting that moderate levels of CO2 are important for maintenance of flesh firmness. Fruit from 2% O2/ 0.75% CO2 atmospheres were also less green than fruit from 2% O2% CO2, but there was no effect of CO2 on colour when O2 levels were 3%. Low CO2 concentrations resulted in...

The effect of tree sprays of calcium, boron, zinc and naphthaleneacetic acid, alone and in all combinations, on the incidence of storage disorders in Merton apples

The effect of four whole-tree sprays at monthly intervals on the fruit mineral element content and on the incidence of storage disorders in Merton apples was investigated for three years. Calcium nitrate, boric acid, zinc nitrate and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) were applied singly and in all possible combinations. There were no significant treatment interactions, which implied an absence of synergistic or antagonistic effects between spray components. Calcium nitrate was the only compound whose application consistently reduced the incidence of bitter pit and breakdown following cool storage for 4 months. In one year NAA reduced the incidence of these disorders, but it also reduced mean fruit size and increased the concentration of most of the mineral elements, including calcium, in the fruit at harvest. Zinc nitrate sprays had no effect. Boron application promoted the development of core flush in one year and of breakdown in two years, but did not affect the incidence of bitter pit. No relationship was observed between the levels of calcium and boron in the fruit.

Storage of Bramley’s Seedling apples. II. Effects of source of fruit, picking date and storage conditions on the incidence of storage disorders

SummaryBramley’s Seedling apples were stored in 8–10% CO2 without control of O2. The incidence of low temperature breakdown and core flush increased sharply as the storage temperature was reduced from 3.9°C to 2.8°C; little was seen after storage at 5.0°C. Delayed picking also increased breakdown. Storage temperature and picking date had little effect on the final incidence of superficial scald or stem end browning. Storage in 5% CO2+3% O2, instead of 8–10% CO2 delayed the appearance of these disorders. Post-harvest treatment with ethoxyquin gave virtually complete control of scald and stem end browning on fruit stored in 8–10% CO2 at 3.9°C and at 5.0°C, although scald tended to appear earlier on untreated fruit at the higher temperature.

Use of alkaline earth metals to reduce the incidence of storage disorders of apples

Application of barium and strontium salts to apples was found to reduce the incidence of both internal breakdown and bitter pit. However, they did not appear to be more effective than calcium in reducing these disorders.

The Effects of Fruit Thinning on the Development of Cox’s Orange Pippin Apples in Relation to the Incidence of Storage Disorders

Severe hand thinning of fruitlets on Cox’s Orange Pippin trees five weeks after full blossom led to a doubling of fruit weight by harvest. Although the rate of cell division was stimulated slightly, the larger fruit size was due mainly to an increased rate of cell enlargement.The respiration rate of whole fruits was slightly higher after thinning and the onset of the climacteric rise was advanced. Respiration per cell was correspondingly higher in the larger cells of the thinned fruit and respiration per unit protein was similar to that of fruit from unthinned trees.Potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus contents, expressed on a fresh weight basis, were higher in the cortical tissue of the thinned fruits. Calcium per unit fresh weight was unaffected by thinning and the ratio of calcium to cell surface remained relatively constant throughout development in both types of fruit.Senescent breakdown and bitter pit developed during storage only in the thinned fruit. Slight differences in the incidence of rotting ...