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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Wenatchee, Washington » Physiology and Pathology of Tree Fruits Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #292434
Title: Assessing superficial scald risk in Granny Smith apples during controlled atmosphere storage using biomarker-based technology

Author
item GAPPER, NIGEL - Cornell University
item HERTOG, MAARTEN - Katholieke University
item NICOLAI, BART - Katholieke University
item WATKINS, CHRISTOPHER - Cornell University
item Giovannoni, James
item Mattheis, James
item Lee, Jinwook
item Leisso, Rachel
item Buchanan, David
item Rudell, David

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/13/2013
Publication Date: 7/8/2013
Citation: Gapper, N., Hertog, M., Nicolai, B., Watkins, C., Giovannoni, J.J., Mattheis, J.P., Lee, J., Leisso, R.S., Buchanan, D.A., Rudell Jr, D.R. 2013. Assessing superficial scald risk in Granny Smith apples during controlled atmosphere storage using biomarker-based technology. HortScience. 120.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: 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.