Calyx mould management on exported ‘Abate Fetel’ pears from the Western Cape

South African pears are mainly exported as fresh produce to destinations such as Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Among the most popular exported pear cultivars are ‘Forelle’ and ‘Abate Fetel’. During the 2020 season European markets claimed a superficial calyx and stem mould affected the storage quality of these two cultivars.
In an attempt to improve storage quality, exported fruit was packaged using alternative materials and postharvest treatments to evaluate the effect on calyx and stem mould development as well as fruit quality parameters.
The use of a shrivel sheet most effectively prevented calyx and stem mould development on fludioxonil treated ‘Abate Fetel’ pears (mean 0.6% incidence) while shrivel incidence reached a maximum of 15% using this packaging method.
Fungicide application significantly reduced calyx mould incidence in a laboratory-drench trial.
Further studies should evaluate timing of fungicide application in combination with sanitisers and alternative packaging materials.

XIV International Pear Symposium

J.C. Meitz-Hopkins, I. Block, H. Mlambo, M.C. Kotze, M.J. Richard, C.L. Lennox

‘Abate Fetel’, calyx mould, storage trial, postharvest decay

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2024.1403.25