Journal of Taiwan Agricultural Research

Author:Shyi-Kuan Ou, Ming-Hui Liu, Jau-Yeuh Wang, Chia-Wei Song, and Ming-Te Lu*

Abstract:

    In order to alleviate the fruit supply during harvest season, and to extend market availability, techniques of cold storage becomes necessary for peach growers.  Several postharvest treatments including cold storage alone or in combination with intermittent warming, 1-methycyclopropene (1-MCP), ethylene inhibitor, ethylene, or ethephon dipping treatments were conducted to document their effects on controlling physiological disorders in low-chill ‘SpringHoney’ peaches.  Four weeks under 0℃ storage, followed by 3 days at room temperature (25℃ ± 2℃) resulted in a value of woolly breakdown index (WBI) of 8.4.  Three weeks at 0℃ followed by intermittent warming then returned to 0℃ for 1 week significantly reduced WBI to 0.8 and resulted in the best storage quality.  Fruits subjected to cold storage alone or with the additional intermittent warming treatments, produced ethylene peak within 2 to 3 days at room temperature.  Fruits treated with high rate of ethylene also scored high in WBI value.  Neither the supply of ethylene, nor 1-MCP application is recommended because fruits subjected to these treatments were prone to woolly breakdown and caused fruits softening.

Key words:Storage life, Cold injury, Mealy breakdown, Intermitted warming

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