S23 - Session P3 - Evaluation of controlled atmosphere storage regimes in WA-grown sweet cherries

Authors: Carolina A. Torres *, Oswaldo Gonzalez-Garcia, Keith van der Broek

In order to reach export markets sweet cherries need to be store in modified atmosphere (MAP) conditions at low temperature. The use of bags for this purpose is a widespread practice, nevertheless, storage units or containers with controlled atmosphere (CA) is another technology available that need to be explored. During 2020, different CA conditions were evaluated in Chelan, Lapins, Rainier, Skeena and Sweetheart cherries grown in WA. At commercial harvest and after ran through a packing line, they were placed in cold storage (0-1 ° C) in different CA conditions: (A)15%CO 2 /1%O 2 , (B)15%CO 2 /10%O 2 , (C)1%CO 2 /1%O 2 , (D)1%CO 2 /10%O 2 , and compared to a packed box with commercial MAP bag and bulk (no CA). Fruit quality was evaluated after 30 and 60 days plus 2 days at 20 ° C. In general, the effect of CA regimes was cultivar-dependent. Only in Rainiers and after 60+2 days fruit firmness was significantly lower in bulk cherries compared to the rest of the treatments. In general, the effect of CA over stem condition was the greatest for Chelan. No differences were observed in pitting incidence between treatments in Sweetheart, Lapins or Chelan, but significantly less in treatments B and D compared to the rest in Rainier. In Skeena, treatments B, C, and D, showed the least pitting incidence among all treatments. Other quality parameters also varied between cultivars and treatments. Additional seasons are needed to account for changes in fruit quality due to weather variation during the growing period and harvest maturity.