Penetration of Calcium into ‘Spartan’ Apple Fruits from a Post-Harvest Calcium Chloride Dip1

Abstract

‘Spartan’ apples were dipped in 4% CaCl2 solution after harvest. One week after treatment, the Ca concentration was 19 ppm higher at the 0–2.5 mm depth in the flesh of the dipped fruit. After 2 weeks, Ca was 41 ppm higher at the 0–2.5 mm depth and 26 ppm higher at the 2.5–5.0 mm depth. After 4 weeks, Ca was 36 ppm higher at the 2.5–5.0 mm depth, 25 ppm higher at the 2.5–5.0 mm depth and 16 ppm higher at the 5.0–7.5 mm depth. After 8 weeks, Ca was 68, 49, 43, 36, 30, 24, 27 and 27 ppm higher at 8 successive 2.5 mm depths. After 32 weeks, Ca was 84, 70, 62, 62, 61, 58, 62 and 62 ppm higher at the 8 successive depths in the dipped fruit.

A Sensitive Method for Measuring Changes in Calcium Concentration in ‘McIntosh’ Apples Demonstrated in Determining Effects of Foliar Calcium Sprays1

“…Ca concentration changes with time (Table 2). For most pur poses, harvest time may be the most appropriate time of sam pling, but to assess late-season or postharvest treatments, samples must be taken after storage, since Ca continues to be absorbed and translocated from residues after harvest (1,6).…”

“…The need for improved wood hardiness in peaches is well documented (2,6,9). Although artificial freezing has long been used to assess hardiness (6), most cultivar improvement is the result of identifying hardy genotypes after test winters. Studies of hardiness in other crops indicate that it is a genetically com plex trait (7,8,11,22).…”

Comparison of Four Sampling Methods for Predicting Poststorage Senescent Breakdown of ‘McIntosh’ Apple Fruit from Preharvest Mineral Composition

“…It would be useful to know, before placing apples in storage, the likelihood that fruit would emerge in good condition and maintain a reasonable shelf life. Fruit with poor storage potential then could be sold in the fall or dipped in Ca solutions to improve storage potential (7).…”