INFLUENCE OF LOW O₂ AND HIGH CO₂ STORAGE ON QUALITY OF ORGANICALLY GROWN WINTER MELON AND CONTROL OF DISORDERS OF ORGANICALLY GROWN APPLES BY ULO IN COMMERCIAL STORAGE ROOMS

Organically grown winter melons were stored in air, 2% O₂,
2% O₂ + 5% CO₂, 2% O₂ + 10% CO₂ at
10°C and 95 R.H. for 63 days plus 5 days in air at 20°C. High CO₂
controlled decay development over the stem only in the first month of storage;
successively, together with stem decay, soft, brown-black stains appeared on
the peel increasing the discarded melons.
At the end of storage low oxygen
stored melon tasted better than the other melons from the other treatments,
sweeter and firmer than control melons.
Anyway there is no benefit to use CA;
efficient pathogens control in the orchard and efficient water sanitization for
melons washing are needed if cold
storage with high R.H. wants to be used to keep the quality of melons with stem
freshness.
Early
harvest and ULO storage prevented breakdown of organically grown apples in Alto
Adige (Bozen area) while late harvest and ULO controlled superficial scald of
not too sensitive apples varieties.

VIII International Controlled Atmosphere Research Conference

F. Mencarelli, R. Botondi, M. Kelderer, C. Casera

melon, high CO₂, storage, organic apple, ULO, DPA

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2003.600.6