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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Wenatchee, Washington » Physiology and Pathology of Tree Fruits Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #131061

Title: ASSESSING 'BING' SWEET CHERRY TOLERANCE TO A HEATED CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE FOR INSECT PEST CONTROL

Author
item Shellie, Krista
item Neven, Lisa
item Drake, Stephen

Submitted to: Horticulture Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2001
Publication Date: 4/1/2001
Citation: Shellie, K., Neven, L.G., Drake, S.R. 2001. Assessing 'Bing' sweet cherry tolerance to a heated controlled atmosphere for insect pest control. Hort. Technology. 11(2):308-311. April-June 2001.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Sweet cherries (prunus avium 'Bing') exposed to 113 or 117 deg F (45 or 47 deg C) in an atmosphere of 1% oxygen with 15% carbon dioxide (balance nitrogen) were heated to a maximum center temperature of 112 of 115 deg F (44 or 46 deg C) in 41 or 27 min, respectively. Heated cherries had similar incidence of pitting and decay, and similar preference ratings after 14 days of storage at 34 deg F (1 deg C) as nonheated or methyl bromide fumigated fruit. Heated cherries and methyl bromide fumigated cherries were less firm after 14 days of cold storage than nonheated, control fruit. The stems of methyl bromide fumigated cherries were less green than heated or nonheated cherries. Cherries exposed to 113 deg F had lower titratable acidity than nonheated cherries, fumigated cherries, or cherries exposed to 117 deg F. Cherry quality after 14 days of cold storage was not affected by hydrocooling before heating (5 min in water at 34 deg F) or by method of cooling after heating (hydrocooling, forced air cooling, or static air cooling). Cherries stored for 14 days at 34 deg F in 6% oxygen with 17% carbon dioxide (balance nitrogen) had similar market quality as cherries stored in air at 34 deg F. Results suggest that 'Bing' sweet cherry can tolerate heating in an atmosphere of low oxygen containing elevated carbon dioxide at doses that may provide quarantine security against codling moth (Cydia pomonella) and western cherry fruit fly (Rhagoletis cingulata).