A SUMMARY OF CA REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FRUITS OTHER THAN APPLES AND PEARS

An update of the CA requirements and recommendations for transport and storage of fruits other than apples and pears is presented. Fruits can be grouped according to their storage potential under optimum ranges of temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric composition as follows: up to 6 months: kiwifruit, persimmon, pomegranate; up to 3 months: avocado, banana, cherry, grape, mango, nectarine, olive, peach, and plum; and up to one month: apricot, blueberry, fig, papaya, pineapple, strawberry. Specific storage duration potential under CA depends on cultivar, stage of ripeness, and whether it is based on appearance or on flavor quality; flavor-life is usually shorter. Since 1997 there has been some modest increases in commercial use of CA during transport of avocado, banana, cherry, grape, kiwifruit, mango, nectarine, peach, and plum. Modified atmosphere packaging is more commonly used for highly perishable berries and fresh-cut fruits. Continued technological developments in the future to provide CA during transport at a reasonable cost are essential to expanded application on fresh fruits.