The maximum delay in SmartFreshSM application from harvest to room filling for fruit destined for the FEMA program

The volume of Forelle Early Market Access (FEMA) fruit has increased drastically since 2013. An unexpected outcome from the increased volumes was the sometimes limited availability of SmartFresh^SM treatment rooms, and the rate of filling of these rooms within the 7 day protocol.

The aim of this study was therefore to determine the maximum delay in SmartFresh^SM application from harvest to room filling for fruit destined for the FEMA programme, without softening of the fruit and the expression of mealiness and to determine if treatment efficacy is compromised by mixed maturities (2014 – 2016). The aim of the extension of this trial was to determine if FEMA fruit subjected to a delayed SmartFresh^SM application (14 days after harvest) can be stored up to 12 weeks, without ripening of the fruit and the expression of mealiness (2017 – 2018).

2014 – 2016

Forelle pears from two populations sourced from the Vyeboom area were treated 7, 9, 14 and 21 days after harvest with SmartFresh^SM and stored for 6 weeks at -0.5°C. Post storage quality of fruit was evaluated at the end of the cold storage period and after a simulated shelf-life of 7 days at 20°C.

2017 – 2018

Forelle pears from two populations sourced from the Vyeboom area were treated 7 and 14 days after harvest with SmartFresh^SM and stored for 5, 8 and 12 weeks at -0.5°C. Post storage quality of fruit was evaluated at the end of the cold storage period and after a simulated shelf-life of 7 days at 20°C.

2014

In one of the populations, pears subjected to a SmartFresh^SM application 9, 14 and 21 days after harvest were just as effective in maintaining fruit quality compared to a 7 day after harvest application. The other population however, exhibited reduced efficacy in the form of mealiness expression, when fruit were treated 21 days after harvest and stored for 6 weeks.

2015

Applying SmartFresh^SM up to 21 days after harvest proved to be effective in maintaining fruit quality and prevent fruit from developing mealiness.

2016

The same orchards were used as in the 2014 season and similar results were obtained.

2017

No mealiness was detected in fruit treated with SmartFresh^SM even up to 12 weeks cold storage.

2018

Mealiness was detected in fruit subjected to SmartFresh^SM 14 days after harvest after 7 days shelf life.

It is recommended to apply SmartFresh^SM within 7 days after harvest. Should an orchard be subjected to SmartFresh^SM later than 7 days after harvest, it should not be stored for an extended period of time. Such fruit should be packed and shipped immediately, especially if it was harvested towards the end of the FEMA harvest window. Forelle pears destined for the FEMA program should never be subjected to SmartFresh^SM later than 14 days. It is also recommended to keep the shelf life of FEMA Forelle subjected to SmartFresh^SM between 7 and 14 days after harvest, shorter than 7 days to prevent mealiness development.