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Preharvest exposure to the sun influences postharvest responses of "Hass" avocado fruit.

Author(s) : WOOLF A. B., BOWEN J. H., FERGUSON I. B.

Type of article: Article

Summary

Hass avocados (Persea americana Mill.) exposed to direct sunlight (sun fruit) had diurnal temperature cycles with flesh tissue reaching as high as 43 deg C under ambient temperatures of 15-25 deg C. The response of sun and shaded fruit to postharvest treatments differed significantly. External damage from hot water treatments of 50 deg C for up to 10 min, was lower in sun fruit, particularly on the exposed side of the fruit. Similarly, shaded fruit had high levels of external chilling injury but the exposed side of the fruit was undamaged. Other effects of exposure to the sun seem to be beneficial for a good quality of the fruit. Thus, exposure of fruit to the sun results in high skin and flesh temperatures, and consequently reduced incidence of postharvest heat and chilling injuries. These beneficial effects are similar to those found following postharvest heat treatments.

Details

  • Original title: Preharvest exposure to the sun influences postharvest responses of "Hass" avocado fruit.
  • Record ID : 1999-3635
  • Languages: English
  • Source: Postharvest Biol. Technol. - vol. 15 - n. 2
  • Publication date: 1999/02

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