ISHS Acta Horticulturae 367: VI International Symposium on Pear Growing
RIPENING BEHAVIOR OF 'GEBHARD' STRAIN OF RED 'D'ANJOU' PEARS AFTER COLD STORAGE AS INFLUENCED BY HARVEST MATURITY AND ETHYLENE |
| Authors: | Paul M. Chen, Diane M. Varga, T. J. Facteau |
| Abstract:
'Gebhard' strain of red 'd'Anjou' pears (Pyrus communis L.) harvested at different maturities based on flesh firmness (FF) in 1989 and 1990 exhibited different ripening behaviors after storage in air at -1°C. After 3 months of storage, fruit did not ripen normally during a period of 8 days ripening at 20°C if they were harvested with FF between 53.4 and 62.3 Newton (N) (12 and 14 lbs) in both years. Fruit harvested with FF less than 53.4N (12 lbs) exhibited some ripening activities after 1 months of storage. In 1989, fruit did not soften to proper ripeness (about 3 lbs) and did not develop buttery and juicy texture after 9 days of ripening at 20°C regardless of harvest maturity and storage period. In 1990, late harvested fruit with FF less than 53.4N (12 lbs) softened to 13.3 (3 lbs) and developed buttery and juicy texture on day 7 at 20°C if they had been stored at -1°C in air for 1 month or longer. Regardless of harvest maturity and length of cold storage, fruit were capable of ripening normally and developing buttery and juicy texture in a ripening environment enriched with 100 ppm ethylene at 20°C, but fruit without chilling did not develop an acceptable flavor quality upon ripening. Under a ripening environment enriched with 100 ppm ethylene, a minimum of 30 days chilling in air at -1°C was required for 'Gebhard' red 'd'Anjou' pears to develop both texture and flavor qualities upon ripening. | |
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