PHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SWEET CHERRY CV. 'BOURLAT' AND 'CALIFORNIA' AFTER HARVEST

摘要

The effect of hydrocooling on physiological and quality parameters of sweet cherry cv. Bourlat (an early season cultivar) and California (a mid season cultivar) was studied during post-harvest life. Respiration rate, flesh firmness, titratable acidity, and total soluble solids were determined during storage at 20°C. A quality index based on the content of soluble solids and titratable acidity, and the compression slope determined by the deformation test was used to assess quality changes. This index was particularly useful to show the effects of hydrocooling duration (as determined by the two final core temperatures of 2° and 4°C) on shelf life of fruit from both cultivars. Thus, California sweet cherry showed a better storage behaviour due to a more marked effect of hydrocooling and lower susceptibility to fungal attack as compared to fruit of the cv. Bourlat. It is suggested that cultural techniques and post-harvest technologies should be improved to optimise the marketing of Bourlat sweet cherry.