Quality of ‘Fuji’ Apples After Regular and Controlled Atmosphere Storage

Abstract

The postharvest quality of three strains (Naga-fu 2, 6 and 12) of ‘Fuji’ apples from two growing locations was evaluated over four storage seasons. Fruit quality was determined at harvest, after 90 days of regular atmosphere (RA) storage and after 210 days of controlled atmosphere (CA) storage at 1% O ₂& 1% CO ₂, 1% O ₂& 3% CO ₂and 1% O ₂& 5% CO ₂. Strains of ‘Fuji’ apples had very little influence on quality at harvest or after RA storage. After CA storage some quality differences were evident between strains, particularly, for red color development, which was greater in Naga-fu 2. Growing location had an influence on quality parameters of ‘Fuji’ apples at harvest and after storage. These quality differences determined for ‘Fuji’ apples between growing locations may offer an explanation of the differences reported for ‘Fuji’ apple quality of the same strain. Carbon dioxide level in the storage atmosphere had a direct influence on fruit quality. Fruit stored at 5% CO ₂displayed more internal breakdown at cavity development and less scald development than fruit stored at 1% and 3% CO ₂. ‘Fuji’ apples stored well and maintained good quality at 3% CO ₂, which would be less costly to maintain than 1% CO ₂, the standard recommendation for the CA storage of ‘Fuji’ apples.