2018 ASHS Annual Conference

A physiological disorder known as ‘stem-end flesh browning’ has recently been found in ‘Gala’ apples in the USA, Canada, Europe and Brazil. The browning originates at the stem end but can extend throughout the fruit as severity increases . The effects of harvest date, plant growth regulators (PGRs) [aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) (ReTain) and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) (Harvista)], postharvest 1-MCP (SmartFresh), storage temperature (0.5 and 3 ^oC), and storage method (standard controlled atmosphere (CA) and dynamic controlled atmosphere – chlorophyll fluorescence (DCA-CF)) have been investigated. A Harvista spray was more effective at reducing disorder incidence than a ReTain. SmartFresh treatment had little effect. DCA-CF also delayed disorder development, but did not prevent it. Disorder incidence was slightly lower at 3 ^oC than 0.5 ^oC, indicating an advantage to using a slightly warmer storage temperature, but quality factors such as flesh firmness were reduced. The occurrence of stem-end flesh browning can be reduced by pre- and post-harvest management through the use of Harvista and DCA-CF, respectively.