Apple cool storage investigations in 1955

Abstract

Investigations have confirmed the importance of maturity with regard to the storage life of Granny Smith apples both in normal air storage and in controlled atmosphere storage. As in earlier experiments, the incidence of storage disorders was closely related to the age of the tree from which the fruit was picked. Superficial scald incidence was again closely related to the amount of carbon dioxide present in the storage atmosphere, but under conditions of high carbon dioxide concentrations the effect of maturity on the incidence of this disorder was most pronounced. Wastage in fruit picked at the correct stage of maturity was reduced by controlled atmosphere storage and the fruit kept firmer. Delaying the storage of fruit reduced scald incidence but increased wastage from mould and soggy breakdown and resulted in softer fruit. The most satisfactory storage atmosphere was a mixture of 16 per cent. oxygen and 5 per cent. carbon dioxide.