Postharvest pitting of 'Fallglo' tangerine

The morphology and etiology of postharvest pitting of 'Fallglo' [Bower citrus hybrid (Cirus reticulata Blanco x C. reticulata Blanco x C. paradisi Macf.) x Temple (C. reticulata Blanco x C. sinensis L.)] peel were determined. The disorder was characterized by scattered collapse of the flavedo that resulted from necrosis of cells within and enveloping the oil glands. In severe cases, damage occurred in epidermal and hypodermal cells above collapsed oil glands and surrounding vascular tissues, but cells between oil glands were often undamaged. Fitting was caused by storing waxed fruit at high temperature (greater than or equal to 15.5 degrees C), but was not affected by ethylene exposure during degreening. Fruit coated with commercially available shellac- and polyethylene-based waxes pitted more than fruit coated with carnauba-based waxes. Fitting was controlled by not coating the fruit with wax or storing the fruit at low temperature (4.5 degrees C) within hours after was application.