ISHS Acta Horticulturae 464: International Postharvest Science Conference Postharvest 96
HEAT TREATMENT TO REDUCE FUNGAL ROTS, INSECT PESTS AND TO EXTEND STORAGE |
| Authors: | S. Lurie, J.D. Klein, E. Fallik, L. Varjas |
| Abstract:
The efficacy of a prestorage dry heat treatment and a hot water dip was investigated for reducing storage rots on bell peppers and tomatoes. The best results were obtained with hot air at 38°C for 48 to 72 h or hot water at 50 to 53°C for 2 to 3 min. Under these conditions in vitro germination and growth of Alternaria alternata and Botrytis cinerea were weakened or prevented. The effect of the heat treatment in vivo was more pronounced, and fungal development was prevented on inoculated fruits. Following the heat treatment the produce could be stored at low temperature without developing chilling injury. The dry heat treatment was also effective in preventing the development of insect pests such as Ceratitis capitata Weidmann (medfly). This is the first report of a single heat treatment being able to control fungal and insect pests and beneficially affect fruit physiology. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
