Preharvest Lipophilic Coatings Reduce Lenticel Breakdown Disorder in ‘Gala’ Apples

• DOI: 10.21273/horttech.18.4.690
• Publication Date: 2018-12-14T16:23:40Z
• Authors: Eric A. Curry; Carolina Torres; Luis Neubauer
• Keywords: Preharvest; Lenticel; Malus; Harvest time

Lenticel breakdown disorder (LB), most prevalent on ‘Gala’ ( Malus × domestica ) apples, especially in arid regions, has also been observed other common cultivars. Depending the preharvest environment, fruit maturity, and length of storage, LB usually appears as one or more round, darkened pits, centered a lenticel, ranging diameter from 1 to 8 mm. Symptoms are not visible at harvest nor they apparent unprocessed after storage. However, following typical processing packing, symptoms fully expressed 12 48 h. Because 3 4 weeks preceding hottest least humid, we theorized that desiccation stress was main causative factor. Thus, several unique lipophilic formulations were developed might reduce potential during this period hot weather rapid enlargement. Emulsions applied whole trees various dosages timings. In 2005, using single handgun application day before harvest, best treatment reduced by about 20% stored 90 days −1 °C. The season, 7 35% °C, whereas weekly applications beginning similarly much 70%. 2007, week commercial airblast sprayer almost 50%