ROOTSTOCK AND STORAGE REGIME INFLUENCE ´SUMMIT´ CHERRY QUALITY

An investigation was conducted on the effect of 4 rootstocks and storage regimes – normal cold storage (NCS) and different kinds of controlled atmospheres (CA₁ = 2.5% O₂ + 10% CO₂; CA₂ = 2.5% O₂ + 15% CO₂; CA₃ = 2.5% O₂ + 20% CO₂) on the quality of ‘Summit’ sweet cherries.
Fruit samples were harvested on June 12, 2003. One sample from each rootstock was harvested, and some sub-samples were analysed at the laboratory while the other sub-samples were stored for 42 days, both in NCS and CA. At the end of the storage period, all sub-samples were analysed for fruit quality, using objective and subjective parameters.
Rootstock and storage regime significantly influenced all of the quality parameters: fruit weight, firmness, juice pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids content, skin colour (L*C*Hº) and stem colour (L_s*a_s*). Fruit size and titratable acidity were higher on invigorating rootstocks.
Fruit ripened later on Gisela 5, with firmness, pH juice and L*C*Hº or a_s* values being higher than those of fruit from the other rootstocks.
Soluble solids content was higher after NCS than after CA. Fruits stored under CA₃ maintained a better objective quality.
Fruits from trees on Cab 11E ripened earlier and were more attractive after storage.
Tasting panels did not distinguish between fruits from CA₃ or CA₂.

V International Postharvest Symposium

J.T. Cavalheiro, A.A. Santos, R.I. Marques, A. Pirra, A. Silvestre

Prunus avium, postharvest, normal cold storage, controlled atmosphere, sensory evaluation, fruit attributes

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2005.682.156