Sustainability of apple fruits cv. Berkutovskoye to physiological diseases under different storage technologies

Abstract

The research was carried out at the Federal Research Center named after I.V. Michurin (Tambov region, Russia), using a promising apple cultivar Berkutovskoye with a high susceptibility to superficial scald. The aim of the research was to study the influence of storage technologies with different oxygen content in the storage atmosphere on the losses from scald and other diseases of apple fruit cv. Berkutovskoye. Control and 1-MCP-treated fruits were stored under regular (RA) and controlled atmosphere with its modifications (ULO-1: O2 - 1.2-1.5%, CO2 - 1.2-1.5%, ULO-2: O2 - 0.8%, CO2 - 0.8-1%, DCA - O2 - 0.7% with a decrease to 0.4%, CO2 0.7-0.8%). Protection from scald was not provided in control fruits stored under RA, ULO-1, ULO-2 and DCA conditions, the appearance of the disease occured earlier under ULO-1 conditions with higher degree of its development. 1-MCP treatment inhibits the synthesis of ethylene, α-farnesene, and CT281. The technology 1-MCP + RA provides fruit protection from scald for 3-4 months, with a decrease in fruit quality and the appearance of greasiness (up to 10%); the technology 1-MCP + ULO-1 protects fruits from scald for no more than 3-4 months; technologies 1-MCP + ULO-2 and 1-MCP + DCA – for more than 4.5 months. Reducing the time of atmosphere setup and optimization of storage parameters for ULO-2 and DCA technologies (with an oxygen content less than 0.8%) can provide a higher level of the quality maintenance of apple fruits cv. Berkutovskoye, without risks of anaerobic disorders.