The effect of conditions of storage on the respiration of apples. VII. The carbon and oxygen balance

When apples of three cultivars were kept in air or in nitrogen at 12 °C, the loss of C0₂ plus alcohol was equivalent to the loss of carbohydrate plus acid. At lower temperatures, the loss of these substrates exceeded the loss as end products. Sorbitol accumulated in stored apples, in greater amount the lower the temperature. When the carbon of the sorbitol was subtracted from that of the carbohydrate, balance was restored.

In air at low temperatures, the observed uptake of oxygen was less than that needed for oxidation of carbohydrate plus acid. When the carbohydrate loss was corrected for sorbitol accumulation, the observed oxygen uptake was equivalent to that required by the net loss of substrates.

However, under C.A. conditions, in 5% CO₂ plus 3% O₂, the observed net loss of substrate exceeded the loss as end products of respiration.     

The effect of conditions of storage on the respiration of apples. VI. The effects of temperature and controlled atmosphere storage on the relationship between rates of production of ethylene and carbon dioxide

Studies on freshly harvested fruit of three apple cultivars kept in air or under C.A. conditions at 12°, 7.2°, 3.3° and 0 °C have shown that the initiation of ethylene production is not necessarily associated with the onset of the respiration climacteric, and therefore cast doubt on the belief that ethylene is a ripening hormone. The dissociation of the two phenomena was effected by low temperatures and by storage under C.A. conditions.

The studies showed also that there is a linear relationship between rate of production of ethylene and its concentration in the intercellular spaces of the fruit.     

Fruit quality and respiration of ‘McIntosh’ apples in response to ethylene,very low oxygen and carbon dioxide storage atmospheres

Storage of ‘McIntosh’ Apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) in a controlled atmosphere (CA) with very low O₂ (1.5% CO₂ + 1.0% O₂, 2.8°C) retained greater fruit firmness and titratable acids during storage and during subsequent air storage than apples stored in conventional CA (5.0% CO₂ + 3.0% O₂, 2.8°C). The rate of firmness loss during subsequent 0°C air storage decreased with length of storage in CA. Storage of apples in very low O₂ for 40 or 80 days decreased the rate of firmness loss in subsequent 0°C air storage as compared to the rate of firmness loss in conventional CA fruit, but the rate of firmness loss in 0°C air storage subsequent to 160 or 320 days of conventional CA was significantly less than the loss in similar fruit stored in very low O₂ atmospheres.A modified atmosphere with 1.0% O₂ decreased the rate of C₂H₄ accumulation in storage, and fruit production of both C₂H₄ and CO₂ after storage opening in comparison with similar fruit in conventional CA. The accumulation of C₂H₄ in storage chambers was increased with increasing O₂ levels, but the rate of increase depended upon the CO₂ level. C₂H₄ storage accumulation was stimulated by the presence of CO₂ at 0.5% O₂, but was suppressed by CO₂ when 3.0% O₂ was maintained.Retention of fruit firmness and titratable acids in apples stored in 1.5% CO₂ + 1.0% O₂ were insensitive to very low (0.231 ml l^?1) or very high (2440 ml l^?1) C₂H₄ levels in storage. Scrubbing C₂H₄ (0.304 ml l^?1) from chambers held at 5.0% CO₂ + 3.0% O₂ resulted in significantly firmer fruit after storage, but this effect was not significant after shelf life of 7 days at 20°C.     

Postharvest sprouting of onion bulbs grown in different temperature and C02 environments in the UK

Summary

The effects of different mean growing season temperatures and C0₂ concentrations during bulb production on postharvest bulb sprouting in a common storage environment at Reading, UK, was examined in two cultivars of the Rijnsburger type of onion (Allium cepa L.). Crops were grown in the field in temperature gradient tunnels maintained at either 374 or 532 ppm C0₂. At crop maturity, cohorts of bulbs were harvested, transferred to a constant temperature room (at an average of 11.6°C) and the subsequent duration to sprouting recorded. The duration to the onset of sprouting (expressed as days in storage until the first bulb sprouted) was not affected by cultivar, mean growing season temperature or CO₂ concentration, and was 165 d. The subsequent rate of sprouting (expressed as bulbs per day) was a positive linear function of mean growing season temperature, but no effects of CO₂ or cultivar were detected. Mean rate of sprouting increased from an average of 0.036 bulbs per day at 12.3°C to 0.093 bulbs per day at 18.6°C. Rapid sprouting in storage was associated with lower levels of total non-structural carbohydrate in the bulbs at the time of harvest. Thus, postharvest susceptibility of onion bulbs to sprouting in storage is expected to increase in warmer crop production temperatures.     

The Effects of Temperature,Extent of Evaporation,and Restriction of Ventilation on the Storage Life of Tomatoes

The storage life of English glasshouse tomatoes is generally terminated by the onset of rotting which at temperatures above 50° F. (10° C.) generally starts from the calyx. As the temperature of storage is reduced below 50° F. the skins of tomatoes become increasingly susceptible to fungal invasion.

Storage at 59° F. (15° C.), under conditions of restricted ventilation in controlled-atmosphere storage which allow exposure to more than 5% CO₂, , also renders the skins of tomatoes susceptible to fungal infection.

The establishment of infection is also greatly influenced by the extent of evaporation, i.e. by the humidity of the storage atmosphere.

The conditions for the storage of tomatoes and the precautions to be observed in prepackaging are discussed in the light of these effects.     

The influence of temperature on photosynthesis of different tomato genotypes

Net photosynthesis and dark respiration from whole plants of various tomato genotypes were measured in a closed system. At low irradiance (27 W m^?2) and low external CO₂ concentration (550 mg m^?3), net photosynthesis of 10 genotypes was found to vary between 0.122 and 0.209 mg CO₂ m^?2 s^?1. Correlation was observed between net photosynthesis, net uptake on a daily basis (8 h photoperiod at 20°C and 16 h nyctoperiod at 10°C), specific leaf weight and leaf area ratio. At high irradiance (243 W m^?2), high external CO₂ concentration (1480 mg m^?3) and ambient temperatures of 10, 18, 20 and 26°C, four genotypes were analysed. ‘F6 I.V.T.’ had the highest rate of photosynthesis at 10°C, while ‘Sonatine’ ranked high at 26°C. Dark respiration increased with temperature, except in the case of ‘Bonabel’ where the effect of temperature was slight.     

Growth responses of some greenhouse plants to environment. III. Design and function of a growth chamber prototype

Growth chambers for the study of effects of temperature, air humidity and CO₂-concentration on plant growth, with or without supplementary artificial light, are described. Each chamber has a volume of 1080 1. The mean airflow at plant level is 0.22 m s^?1. The temperature is controlled within ± 0.5°C in the range from 10°C lower to 20°C higher than the ambient temperature at low solar radiation. In direct sunshine, the temperature may rise 1°C at floor level and the gradient from the floor to the upper part of the chamber may be about 2°C.The relative humidity is generally controlled within ± 4%, in the range from 50 to 95%.The CO₂-concentration is controlled within ± 5% of the desired value. The number of air changes in the chambers may be controlled from 0 to 20 h^?1.Tests revealed no significant difference between the chambers with respect to fresh weight production of lettuce, rose or chrysanthemum. There was, however, a significant effect from the position within the chambers.     

Amount of Cortical and Epidermal Tissue Shed From Roots of Apple

Rates of CO₂ production by cv Idared apples were progressively reduced by lowering O₂ levels from 21% to 2% and 1%. Although lowering the temperature from 4° to 2°C also reduced the respiration rate, fruits stored in 1% and 2% O₂ were respiring faster after 100 days at 0°C than at 2° or 4°C. After 192 days the air-stored fruit also showed an increase in respiration rate at 0°C. These higher respiration rates preceded the development of low temperature breakdown in fruit stored in air, 2% and 1% O₂ at 0°C and in 1% 0₂ at 2°C. Progressively lower O₂ concentrations reduced ethylene production whilst increasing the retention of acid (expressed as malic), soluble solids, chlorophyll and firmness. In the absence of low temperature breakdown the effects of reduced temperature on fruit ripening were similar to those of lowered O₂ concentrations. The quality of apples stored at 4°C in 1% O₂ was markedly better than in 2%; the fruits were also free of core flush (brown core) and other physiological disorders.     

The Influence of Controlled Atmospheres on the Respiration Rates and Storage Behaviour of Strawberry Fruits

The output of CO₂ from strawberries, cv. Cambridge Favourite, held at 4.5 °C in air, I, 2 or 5% 0₂ fell to a minimum after 5 days. Thereafter the rate increased, more rapidly in air (in which rotting was more prevalent) than in 1 or 2% O₂.

Strawberry fruits stored at 3 °C in air, 5, 10, 15 and 20% CO₂ remained in good condition for 10 days, and all concentrations of CO₂ reduced rotting due to Botrytis. The alcohol content of the fruit increased with the length of storage and with higher concentrations of CO₂; 20% CO₂ caused severe injury after 30 days.

It is suggested that long-term storage in O₂ concentrations of 1% or lower may lead to off-flavours, and that the use of higher CO₂ concentrations may be restricted to storage for up to 7 days where adequate refrigeration is unavailable. Loss of flavour which occurred under all conditions after 15–20 days appears to be the main factor limiting the long-term storage of United Kingdom strawberries.     

Effects of Gibberellic Acid and Temperature on the Growth of Young Seedlings of Syringa Vulgaris L.

The application of gibberellic acid (0, 5, 20 and 80 µg) to seedlings of Syringa vulgaris L. about two weeks after germination increased significantly the total length, the length of internodes and the dry weight (d.w.) of shoots and the net assimilation rate. GA₃ also had a small but significant positive effect on the number of pairs of leaves, especially at high temperatures; it increased the girth, but this effect was not significant.

GA₃ reduced significantly the d.w. of roots and leaves but did not affect the leaf/root ratio. GA₃ had no effect on the total plant d.w. or the relative growth rate.

The effect of GA₃ on shoot growth was dependent on temperature and on the stage of growth. One and two weeks after its application it had the maximum relative effect at high temperatures (21–24 °C) but at the end of the experiment (8.5 weeks) the maximum effect was reached at 12 °C; it decreased with increasing temperature and was not significant at 24 °C. By this stage there were, however, no statistical interactions between temperature and GA₃ for total length and for d.w. of shoots, roots, leaves and of the whole plant.

Increasing temperatures over the range 12–24 °C resulted in increases in the following characteristics: the number of pairs of leaves; length of internodes, diameter and total length of the shoot; the d.w. of shoots, roots, leaves and of the whole plant; the d.w. ratios of leaves/roots and shoots/roots; and the relative growth rate and net assimilation rate. High temperatures reduced the root/whole plant dry weight ratio. The effect of temperature on the number of pairs of leaves was linear, and results at alternating temperatures (24°/18° and 21°/15 °C, 8 hr/16 hr) did not deviate significantly from values expected on the basis of mean daily temperature.     

The Uptake of Metallic Ions by Leaves of Apple Trees. III. The Uptake of Copper by Leaves Immersed in Solutions of its Salts

When apple leaves, either detached or still attached to the tree, were immersed in solutions of copper sulphate, at least four successive phases were distinguishable in the graph relating uptake with time, namely :

Phase I, when copper was taken up at a rapidly declining rate during the first 30 seconds or so of immersion, and adsorbed.

Phases II and III, which were both linear-with-time uptakes, II being faster than III, and of a rate proportional to the applied concentration ; the length of time occupied by phase II increased as the applied concentration was reduced. The length of time occupied by phase III, and the amount of copper taken up in this phase, both varied markedly from experiment to experiment.

Phase IV, in which copper was taken up at a rate comparable with that of phase II whilst material from within the leaf was simultaneously released into the solution in which the leaves were immersed.

An increase in temperature from 0° to 30° C. had little effect on the rates of uptake in phases I and II, but a further increase of 6° C. led to a considerably faster uptake in phase II.

The rate of uptake in phase II was lower for leaves of M.III rootstock than for leaves of Cox’s Orange Pippin.     

Effects of day and night temperature on photosynthesis,antioxidant enzyme activities,and endogenous hormones in tomato leaves during the flowering stage

To study the effects of day and night temperature difference (DIF) on tomato growth, a controlled experiment using Solanum lycopersicum L., cv. Jinguan 5 was conducted. The daily mean temperature (T_m) was maintained at 18°C and 25°C, and the DIF was set at 0°C, 6°C, and 12°C. The results indicated that chlorophyll a (Chl a) and chlorophyll b (Chl b) gradually increased as DIF rose. At 18°C T_m, the carotenoid content reached a maximum at 12°C DIF. The Chl a/Chl b, net photosynthetic rate (P_N), photosynthetic rate at irradiation saturation (P_max), stomatal conductance (g_s), intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i), stomatal limitation value, the maximum assimilation rate (A_max), apparent quantum efficiency (A_q), carboxylation efficiency (C_e), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), gibberellin A₃ (GA₃), and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) were highest, while malondialdehyde (MDA) was lowest at 6°C DIF. At 25°C T_m, P_N, P_max, A_max, A_q, C_e, g_s, C_i, CAT, POD, GA₃, IAA, and zeatin reached the maximum under 6°C DIF, while SOD and MDA reached the maximum under 12°C DIF. Furthermore, the morphological index peaked at 6°C DIF under 18°C and 25°C T_m. The results suggested that 6°C DIF improved the growth and development of tomato during the flowering stage. ABBREVIATIONS: Aq – apparent quantum efficiency; Amax – the maximum assimilation rate; CAT – Catalase; Chl a(b) – chlorophyll a(b); Ca – ambient CO₂ concentration; Ce – carboxylation efficiency; Ci – intercellular CO₂ concentration; DIF – difference between day temperature (TD) and night temperature(TN); FM – fresh mass; gs – stomatal conductance; GA₃ – gibberellin A₃; IAA – indole-3-acetic acid; Ls – stomatal limitation value; MDA – malondialdehyde; Pmax – photosynthetic rate at irradiation saturation; PN – net photosynthetic rate; POD – peroxidase; ROS – reactive oxygen species; SOD – superoxidedismutase; Tm – daily mean temperature; ZT – zeatin.     

Controlled-atmosphere storage of kiwifruit. I. Effect on fruit firmness and storage life

The effect of atmospheres containing high CO₂ and low O₂ on the firmness of kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis Planch.) during cool storage at 0°C has been studied. Atmospheres containing above 4% CO₂ with 15–20%O₂ caused a retardation in the softening of kiwifruit. This effect increased as the CO₂ content of the atmosphere increased from 4 to 10%, but additional CO₂ above 10% had no further effect on fruit firmness. Low O₂ (2–3%) with 3–5% CO₂ further delayed the rate of kiwifruit softening and increased storage life up to 3–4 months beyond normal air-storage life. Although controlled-atmosphere storage increases storage life of kiwifruit, the magnitude of the effect was found to vary from year to year. Contamination of the storage atmosphere by as little as 0.1 μl^?1 ethylene severely reduced the effectiveness of controlled-atmosphere storage in maintaining kiwifruit firmness, even at 0°C.     

Increases in ethylene and carbon dioxide production by Tulipa gesneriana L. ‘Prominence’ after completion of the cold-requirement

Bulbs of Tulipa gesneriana L. ‘Prominence’ were either specially pre-cooled at 5 ± 0.5°C or held at 17 ± 0.5°C in a flow-through system equipped for atmospheric sampling. Bulbs at 17°C had low CO₂ and C₂H₄ production rates until January when they began to increase. An initial peak of C₂H₄ production occurred during the 2nd week of pre-cooling, followed by a major increase after 12 weeks. In addition, bulbs were specially pre-cooled for periods of 2–16 weeks (2-week increments). The bulbs were then transferred to 17 ± 0.5°C, where initial periods of special pre-cooling of greater than 12 weeks resulted in a dramatic increase in respiration rate over bulbs cooled for less than 12 weeks. These increases in C₂H₄ and CO₂ liberation appeared to be related to completion of the bulb cold-requirement. However, no surge of shoot elongation occurred after 12 weeks of pre-cooling and transfer to 17°C.     

Growth responses of some greenhouse plants to environment. I. Experimental techniques

A system for continuous measurement of net photosynthesis of small stands of greenhouse plants in an almost air-tight cabinet is described. The accuracy of control of the CO₂ concentration in the cabinet is within ± 1% of the desired value. The control of air temperature is within ± 0.2°C and the relative humidity within ± 2% from the adjusted value. The amount of CO₂ used in photosynthesis is measured by the number of injections of controlled volumes of CO₂ in a specific time interval.A system for soil temperature regulation is described. In the range from 5 to 35°C, the accuracy of control of the soil temperature is usually within ± 0.5°C from the desired value. At high solar irradiance, however, the temperature may rise about 2°C at the lower, and somewhat less at the higher, soil temperatures.Results from preliminary experiments with roses and chrysanthemums are presented.     

Erh?hung der Temperatur bei der Apfellagerung durch Einsatz von 1-MCP

The investigations should purify whether the temperature during apple storage can be increased by application of 1-MCP to decrease energy consumption and costs. The investigations were carried out over 2 years with the following treatments: Year 1: The apple cultivars ‘Elstar, Elshof’ and ‘Gala, Must’ were investigated. For both cultivars 3 different storage temperatures (1, 2 and 4°C) with and without application of 1-MCP were examined. Each temperature and 1-MCP treatment was investigated both under CA-/ULO-conditions with 1.5% O₂ and 2% CO₂ and in cold storage with normal atmosphere. Year 2: The apple cultivars ‘Jonagold, Jonica’ und ‘Golden Delicious, Weinsberg’ were investigated. For both cultivars 3 different storage temperatures (1, 2 and 4°C) with and without application of 1-MCP were examined. Each temperature and 1-MCP treatment was investigated both under CA-/ULO-conditions with 1.5% O₂ and 3% CO₂ and in cold storage with normal atmosphere. The influence of temperature, storage atmosphere and 1-MCP application on fruit firmness, soluble dry matter (sugar) and fruit acid was investigated on 6 dates (September to October in the first year) respectively on 5 dates (October to March) during the storage period. Following results were obtained:

1. In the first year storage temperature did not influence the content of soluble dry matter of both cultivars. Application of 1-MCP led to a less decomposition of soluble dry matter. In the second year the content of soluble dry matter decreased slightly with increasing temperatures. A clear positive effect of 1-MCP-application was not noticeable. Altogether an increase of storage temperature has no or only a small influence of the content of soluble dry matter. 1-MCP can slow down the decomposition of soluble dry matter.
2. An increase of storage temperature had no or only a small influence of fruit firmness. With increasing storage temperature fruit firmness decreased slightly.1-MCP application led to a higher fruit firmness, especially during cold storage in normal atmosphere. In both years all cultivars showed a same or higher fruit firmness at 4°C with 1-MCP application under CA-/ULO-conditions as at 1°C without 1-MCP application under CA-/ULO-conditions.
3. An increase of storage temperature had no or only a small influence of the content of fruit acid.1-MCP application under CA-/ULO-conditions reduced the decomposition of fruit acid. In both years usually all cultivars showed a same or higher content of fruit acid at 4°C with 1-MCP application under CA-/ULO-conditions as at 1°C without 1-MCP application under CA-/ULO-conditions.

The results show that an increasing of storage temperature under CA-/ULO-conditions and with 1-MCP application has no negative influence on fruit quality in comparison to fruits which were stored under CA-/ULO-conditions at low temperatures without 1-MCP application.     

Effect of temperature on photosynthesis of lettuce adapted to different light and temperature conditions

Gas exchange of lettuce plants, pre-grown in growth chambers at different irradiances (18, 37, 70 W m^?2) and temperatures (6, 14, 22°C) were measured in the range of 2–22°C. In weak light (18 W m^?2) there was no increase in CO₂ uptake above 2°C, and even in 70 W m^?2 the highest rates were obtained at about 10°C only. The response of net photosynthesis of lettuce to temperature is diminished as a result of morphological plant adaptations, i.e. specific leaf area or top-to-root weight ratio. The temperature optimum for dry-matter production is much higher than that for CO₂ uptake. Therefore, photosynthesis is an unsuitable criterion for temperature control in greenhouses.     

Virus Diseases of Cherry Trees in England: II. Growth Suppression Caused by Some Viruses

When apple leaves, either detached or still attached to the tree, were immersed in solutions of copper sulphate, at least four successive phases were distinguishable in the graph relating uptake with time, namely :

Phase I, when copper was taken up at a rapidly declining rate during the first 30 seconds or so of immersion, and adsorbed.

Phases II and III, which were both linear-with-time uptakes, II being faster than III, and of a rate proportional to the applied concentration ; the length of time occupied by phase II increased as the applied concentration was reduced. The length of time occupied by phase III, and the amount of copper taken up in this phase, both varied markedly from experiment to experiment.

Phase IV, in which copper was taken up at a rate comparable with that of phase II whilst material from within the leaf was simultaneously released into the solution in which the leaves were immersed.

An increase in temperature from 0° to 30° C. had little effect on the rates of uptake in phases I and II, but a further increase of 6° C. led to a considerably faster uptake in phase II.

The rate of uptake in phase II was lower for leaves of M.III rootstock than for leaves of Cox’s Orange Pippin.     

Effect of Carbon Dioxide Enrichment on Growth,Development and Yield of Glasshouse Tomatoes. II. The Duration of Daily Periods of Enrichment

The effects of various daily durations of CO₂ enrichment ‘on early-sown glasshouse tomatoes are outlined. Reducing the daily enrichment period in the pre-planting stage (late November to mid-January) had only marginal effects on total yields and · monetary values. Reductions in the post-planting stage (mid-January to mid-April) caused significant depressions in yields, roughly proportional to the · reduction in enrichment time. For a given reduction in the duration of daily enrichment, delaying the start of enrichment in the morning was more detrimental than ending it prematurely before sunset.

Varying the frequency of water applications during the CO₂ enrichment period, from every second to every eighth day, had little effect, with no significant interactions between enrichment duration and watering frequency.

Daily durations of CO₂ enrichment somewhat shorter than the full sunrise-sunset periods, during the pre-planting stage, may not significantly reduce the total returns from the crop, but the consequent monetary saving would be quite small. Any reduction during the post-planting stage would be detrimental, resulting in a far greater loss in revenue than the consequent saving in costs.     

Fermentative metabolism in ‘Conference’ pears under various storage conditions

Summary

The aim of this work was to investigate the fermentative metabolism of ‘Conference’ pears during different storage regimes. Fruits were stored at 0°C in the following controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions: 6 kPa CO₂ + 0.5 kPa O₂;3 kPa CO₂ + 1 kPa O₂; or 1 kPa CO₂ + 2 kPa O₂; and also in regular air (RA) as a control. Pears kept in RA showed low pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) and alcohol dehydrogensase (ADH) activities, and correspondingly low levels of ethanol and acetaldehyde production as long as the fruits were maintained at low temperatures. During shelf-life at 20°C, RA-fruits released higher amounts of acetaldehyde, while ethanol production remained low. Lactate concentrations in RA-stored pears increased continuously in the second part of the storage period and during shelf-life, while lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity remained low. During CA-storage, ‘Conference’ pears showed continuous increases in the activities of PDC and ADH, mainly in fruits stored under high CO₂ and/or low O₂ partial pressures. The production of ethanol and acetaldehyde was not influenced in fruits stored in 6 kPa CO₂ + 0.5 kPa O₂. LDH activity in CA-stored pears increased during storage, while lactate concentrations diminished. During shelf-life at 20°C, the concentrations of all measured fermentation products increased, particularly acetaldehyde and lactate. We conclude that PDC, ADH, and LDH activities are not rate-limiting factors in the accumulation of fermentation products in ‘Conference’ pears during storage and shelf-life at 20°C.