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Abstract-This study aimed to evaluate the storage potential of SCS426 Venice apples under different storage technologies. Fruits were harvested in an experimental orchard located in Fraiburgo, SC and stored for up to eight and ten months in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Apples were treated or not with methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and stored under air atmosphere (AA, 0.5±0.5 °C/RH 85±5%) or controlled atmosphere (CA; 1.5 kPa of O 2 and 1.5 kPa of CO 2 at 0.7±0.5 °C/RH of 93±3%). Fruits were evaluated every two months of storage, after one and seven days of shelf life (23 ± 0.3 °C/RH 93±3%). The storage period of 'SCS426 Venice' apples under AA without 1-MCP application should not extend beyond six months. Under this storage condition, fruits had higher incidence of decay, ethylene production and respiratory rates, higher skin degreening, lower flesh firmness, titratable acidity and soluble solids content than fruits stored under CA or AA with 1-MCP. 'SCS426 Venice' apples develop flesh browning and superficial scald after longterm storage. 'SCS426 Venice' apples under AA treated with 1-MCP or under CA (regardless of 1-MCP application) can be stored for more than eight months, keeping flesh firmness above 14 lb and low incidence of physiological disorders even after ten months of storage.

Strains of ‘Gala’ apples with highly red-colored skins have been planted in new orchards based on consumer interest and financial returns to the producers. The effect of somatic mutation may not be limited to change in fruit skin appearance. In this study, six ‘Gala’ strains were compared regarding fruit maturity and quality attributes at commercial harvest time and after 210 days in controlled atmosphere cold storage plus seven days shelf-life. Experimental orchards were established in three regions and fruit assessed over four seasons. The fruit skin red color area was highest in ‘Baigent’ and ‘Galaxy’, and lowest in ‘Royal Gala’ and ‘Imperial Gala’. Fruit of ‘Maxi Gala’ and ‘Gala Real’ had intermediate skin coloration among the six strains. There was no difference among the strains regarding the fruit weight, starch index, flesh firmness, soluble solid content (SSC), and titratable acidity (TA) at harvest, and flesh firmness, SSC and TA after storage. Fruit of the six ‘Gala’ strains were equally affected by physiological disorders (flesh browning, fruit cracking, calcium deficiency disorders and shrivel) and fungal diseases (external decay, core rot and Glomerella cingulata spot) during storage, indicating that they have similar storability. Only ‘Imperial Gala’ and ‘Royal Gala’ exhibited superficial scald, an unusual disorder for ‘Gala’ cultivar. Harvest management and potential economic impacts of highly red colored fruit of ‘Gala’ strains are discussed.

Resumo – Este trabalho teve como objetivo identificar índices de maturação para o ponto ideal de colheita de maçãs ‘SCS426 Venice’ destinadas à comercialização imediata ou ao armazenamento. Os frutos foram colhidos semanalmente, em Fraiburgo, SC, no período de 144 a 172 dias após a plena floração (DAPF); avaliados um dia após a colheita, após armazenagem por 240 dias sob atmosfera do ar (AA) a 0,5°C e 265 dias sob atmosfera controlada (AC) a 0,7°C. Índices de maturação para maçãs ‘SCS426 Venice’ destinadas à comercialização imediata variam de 15,3 a 16,5 lb para firmeza de polpa, 12,9% a 13,4% para teor de sólidos solúveis (SS), 0,291% a 0,338% para acidez titulável (AT), 8,2 a 9,0 para índice de amido (escala 1 a 9) e 3,7 a 4,3 para índice de cor de fundo (escala 1 a 5). Índices de maturação para maçãs ‘SCS426 Venice’ destinadas à armazenagem (AA e AC) variam de 17,2 a 18,0 lb para firmeza de polpa, 11,8% a 12,5% para teor de SS, 0,350% a 0,356% para AT, 3,0 a 5,5 para índice de amido e 2,1 a 3,1 para índice de cor de fundo.