Project Number: 5350-43000-005-13
Project Type: Trust

Start Date: May 01, 2008
End Date: Apr 30, 2010

Objective:
Identify apple fruit metabolic responses to postharvest conditions that induce softscald; Develop postharvest protocols that avoid softscald development.

Approach:
Softscald-susceptible cultivars `GingerGold¿ and `HoneyCrisp¿ will be treated with an antioxidant (diphenylamine) and/or ethylene action inhibitor (1-methylcyclopropene) then stored under a range of temperatures and controlled atmospheres. Cortex and peel tissue samples will be collected at regular intervals and metabolic profiles determined for ~200 known compounds by GC/MS and LC/MS analysis. Studies will be conducted using a minimum of 3 grower lots/cultivar. Results from the initial 2 years will be utilized to develop a postharvest protocol to be tested in year 3 under pilot-scale conditions with fruit from ~10 grower lots.