Assessing Superficial Scald Risk in Granny Smith Apples during Controlled Atmosphere Storage using Biomarker-based Technology

Assessing and monitoring superficial scald risk at the beginning of and during storage will help fruit producers better manage inventory.  Current techniques and tools do not provide an accurate assessment of whether apples will develop this costly disorder. By screening 30,000 potential metabolite and gene expression biomarkers for those whose concentrations change in ways that indicate that scald risk is high. Candidates are validated using multiple storage and crop protectant conditions. We have found biomarkers that indicate that fruit has been exposed to conditions that are conducive to scald and thereby, are at a higher risk for developing it later in storage.  Employing this system has allowed for the adjustment of controlled atmosphere storage conditions when scald risk was high, effectively improving the storage outcome in relation to scald incidence and severity.  Our project continues to find and validate additional candidates for superficial scald as well as other economically significant apple disorders—soft/scald soggy breakdown, CO₂ peel injury, and firm flesh browning.