STORAGE PROBLEMS FOR BRUSSELS (WITLOOF) CHICORY. PHYSIOLOGICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL ASPECTS.

Treatments by cold or by controlled atmospheres applied to Brussels chicory roots or to chicons maximize his production period. For roots of earlier harvest, refrigeration at O°C or shorter gaseous treatment at 15°C (anoxia by nitrogen or ethylene enriched air) increase the maturity process. For mature roots maintained in high relative humidity at - 1°C, storage for more than 6 months is obtained. Controlled atmosphere with a relatively high carbon dioxide concentration (3%) has only a limited effect to stabilize bud growth potentialities. Normal refrigeration to O°C under plastic film of chicons produced by forcing, provides optimal conditions for a 3 weeks storage. However, a low carbon dioxide concentration, non toxic for leaves, improves post-storage time at middle temperature.

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