THE EFFECTS OF LOW ETHYLENE STORAGE IN 1% AND 3% OXYGEN ON THE QUALITY OF APPLES CV. BELLE DE BOSKOOP

In a two-year research programme with the apple cultivar "Belle de Boskoop" the effects of low ethylene storage in 1% O₂ and 3% O₂ were investigated. The fruits were stored in containers (static system) in a regime of 0.5% CO₂, 4.5°C, 95–97% r.h. and partly treated with daminozide. The measured quality assessments were: taste, titratable acids, ACC and MACC content, ethylene production, respiration rate, peel colour and storage disorders. These were assessed directly after storage and after 7 days at 15°C.

Belle de Boskoop apples showed a high ethylene production rate, which daminozide treatment diminished. Daminozide-treated fruits showed slight benefits of low ethylene storage in 3% O₂, on firmness, taste attributes and storage scald. Low ethylene storage in 1% O₂ showed no benefits and the added disadvantage of much more core flush was found. The beneficial effects of 1% O₂ high ethylene storage were in general greater than the effects of low ethylene storage in 3% O₂. ACC content in daminozide-untreated fruits in 1% O₂ accumulated during the additional storage period. In daminozide-treated fruits the ACC content was much lower, a possible preclimacteric effect.

In conclusion therefore, because of the measured effects of oxygen in relation to ethylene removal and the high production level of C₂H₄, low ethylene storage for Belle de Boskoop apples seems not to be an effective storage treatment.