FRUIT STORAGE LIFE OF NEW SELECTIONS OF ACTINIDIA ARGUTA GROWN ORGANICALLY

Three new selections of Actinidia arguta (Sieb. et Zucc.) Planch. ex Miq.: R₈P₁, R₉P₁ and R₁₀P₂₅, were cultivated organically. Planting distances were 4.0 m x 2.5 m and plants were trained on T-bars. Fruit were harvested when soluble sugar content reached 7–9% and fruit firmness varied between 5.5–6.5 kg/cm². Fruit storage life was evaluated under three sets of conditions: room conditions (T = 20°C; RH = 65%), normal cool storage (T = 2°C; RH = 55%) and cool storage under semi-permeable low density polyethylene film (T = 2°C; RH = 90%). Fruit physical and biochemical parameters were analyzed before and after storage. The end of the storage life was taken as being when fruit were eating-ripe. Storage life varied between 9 days under room conditions and 45 days under modified atmosphere conditions achieved using the semi-permeable film, that reduced fruit metabolism, by modifying the O₂/CO₂ ratio and reduced water loss. The selection R₉P₁ had the longest storage life. No storage diseases were observed during the storage period.