EFFECT OF HIGH-CARBON DIOXIDE AND LOW-OXYGEN CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERES ON POSTHARVEST DECAYS OF APPLES

Controlled atmosphere storage with carbon dioxide concentrations above 2.8% reduced the development of lesions incited by Botrytis cinerea (causing gray mold), Penicillium expansum (causing blue mold), and Pezicula malicorticis (causing bull's-eye rot) in McIntosh, Delicious, and Golden Delicious apples (Malus domestica) kept for 61 days at 0 C. Low-oxygen atmospheres were less effective for decay control. Older apples stored in air for 8 mo at 0 C prior to the CO2 treatment had a higher incidence of brown skin discoloration (scald) when exposed to CO2 concentrations above 8% than younger fruit stored in air at 0 C for 7 wk before receiving controlled atmosphere treatments. Apple firmness, soluble solids, and titratable acidity were not adversely affected by the high-CO2 or low-O2 atmosphere treatments.