No abstract

Applications of 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid to field grown cantaloupes resulted in yellowing of leaves, early abscission, apparent ripening of immature melons and increased total and marketable yields of full-slip melons. The percentage of soluble solids was slightly lower in treated melons.

Rates of air flow that permitted accumulation of CO2 up to 18% and O2 depletion to 1% or lower resulted in the development of off-odors in broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. Italica group) following 8 days of simulated transit at 2.5°C Production of off-odors under restricted aeration was more pronounced at 0° than at 2.5° or 5°. Added CO2 (10%) under normal aeration retarded yellowing and did not affect odor after 10 days at 2.5°, but after 17 days it resulted in a slight off-odor that disappeared upon holding in air at 5° for 2 days. O2 levels of < 1% caused offensive off-odors that were still detectable after holding in air. After 9 days at 2.5° the effect of 1% O2 + 20% CO2 on off-odor production was similar to 0.5% O2 alone. Respiration rate of broccoli flower heads held in 0.5% O2 at 2.5° was about 60% of the rate in air.

Asparagus spears (Asparagus officinalis L. var altilis L.) were cut to 21, 14, and 7 cm in length and stored at 2.5°C for one week. Apical tissue had higher rates of respiration than basal tissue, and cuts to produce 7-cm apical sections caused a significant 15% increase in respiration that lasted a few days. Cuts made 14 cm from the apex had no effect on respiration. Over the 7-day storage period, CO2 production declined by 50%, with most of the decline occurring within the first 3 days. The composition of 3.5 cm incremental segments of the stored spears were analyzed. Storage resulted in significant declines in soluble carbohydrates along the entire 21 cm of the spear, in amino acids for 14 cm, and in protein along the apical 7 cm of the 21-cm spear. Apical 7-cm spears had at least double the rate of losses of these components during storage as did 21-cm spears.

No abstract