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Title: POSTHARVEST PERFORMANCE OF MUSCADINE GRAPES

Author
item Perkins Veazie, Penelope
item Collins, Julie
item CLARK, J.R. - UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS

Submitted to: Horticulture Industries Show
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Muscadine grapes are a grape species found in the southern United States with resistance to many of the diseases of other table grapes. Unlike other grapes, muscadines are borne singly or in small clusters so are harvested and sold as individual fruits. Many varieties are available but only a few have been studied extensively for their shelf life. The purpose eof this study was to compare the shelf life of a number of muscadine varieties that are adapted to the mid south climate of Arkansas and Oklahoma. Decay, shrivel, weight loss, soluble sugars, and acidity were determined for 25 varieties. Three bronze-colored varieties, 'Summit', 'Darlene' and 'Triumph', and two purple/black varieties, 'Black Beauty', and 'Sugargate', were found to have the best overall scores for shelf life.

Technical Abstract: Muscadine grapes (Vitis rotundifolia) grow well in the southern United States and have resistance to Pierce's disease, powdery and downy mildew, and black rot. In the past, the unusual flavor and intensive harvest system have limited use of these grapes in fresh markets. Interest in new markets for the grapes has expanded, but the shelf life of many muscadine varieties has not been evaluated. The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the shelf life of muscadine varieties adapted to the mid-south climates found in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Decay, shrivel, weight loss, soluble sugars, and acidity were determined for 25 varieties. Berries were harvested by shaking fruit into collection frames and samples were stored for 28 days at 2 C plus 2 days at 20 C to simulate retail market conditions. Cultivars varied widely in decay and shrivel, ranging from 12 to 83% and 0 to 59%, respectively. Soluble solids, titratable acidity, and djuice pH did not change significantly after storage. Three bronze-colored varieties, 'Summit', 'Darlene' and 'Triumph', and two purple/black varieties, 'Black Beauty', and 'Sugargate', were found to have the best overall scores for shelf life.