Low oxygen treatment prior to cold storage decreases the incidence of bitter pit in 'Golden Reinders' apples.
BACKGROUND
The effect of subjecting 'Golden Reinders' apples to a low O(2) pre-treatment (LOT; 1-2% O(2)) was evaluated as a strategy to decrease the rate of bitter pit (BP) incidence after standard cold storage (ST). Immediately after harvest, apples were stored for 10 days at 20 degrees C under low O(2). Thereafter, apples were cold-stored (0-4 degrees C) for 4 months and changes were monitored in terms of BP incidence, fruit quality traits and mineral element concentrations.


RESULTS
After 4 months cold storage, LOT apples presented a 2.6-fold decrease in the rate of BP incidence (14%) versus the values obtained for standard cold-stored fruits (37% BP incidence). LOT increased flesh firmness, total soluble solids and titratable acidity as compared to the quality traits determined for cold-stored fruits. Lower cortex Ca and Mg concentrations as compared to ST apples were determined in association with LOT, 2 months after cold storage.


CONCLUSIONS
Application of a LOT prior to cold storage may be a promising strategy to reduce the incidence of BP and preserve fruit quality, which should be further investigated.
Val
Jesús
J
Estación Experimental de Aula Dei-CSIC. Avda Montañana 1005, 50059-Zaragoza, Spain. jval@eead.csic.es
Fernández
Victoria
V
López
Paola
P
Peiró
Jose María
JM
Blanco
Alvaro
A
D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods*; D005638:Fruit / Q000378:metabolism*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008274:Magnesium / Q000378:metabolism*; D027845:Malus / Q000378:metabolism*; D010100:Oxygen; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012995:Solubility
D008274:Magnesium; D010100:Oxygen; D002118:Calcium