S23 - Session P11 - Extra low oxygen low ethylene storage to control senescent scald on applem L.) Fruits In Makurdi, Benue State

Authors: Claude Coureau *

Senescent scald is a physiological disorder on some varieties of apples. 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment is most of the time efficient against this disease, but 1-MCP is prohibited in organic production. This study aims at preventing senescent scald development by using an extra low oxygen controlled atmosphere storage (XLO, < 1% O 2 ) in combination with an ethylene removal (residual concentration < 1 ppm). Trials were carried out in a semi-industrial cold room of 20 tons during four harvesting seasons on various apple varieties sensitive to senescent scald. The controlled atmosphere system and ethylene removal equipment were provided by the French company Absoger. Apples, treated (1-MCP) or not (control), were stored under XLO conditions without ethylene removal. Another batch of non-treated apples was stored in XLO conditions with an ethylene remover (XLO n low ethylene). The new ethylene remover was able to maintain ethylene level under 1 ppm during all the storage. Fruit stored without ethylene presented a higher firmness compared to the control fruit (+ 0,2 kg/cm² or more according to the year of trial), but less than 1-MCP fruit. Storage combination with low oxygen level and low ethylene level ( < 1 ppm) appears to be a good solution against senescent scald and a sustainable solution for organic apples or fruits without chemical post-harvest treatment.