Low oxygen treatment prior to cold storage decreases the incidence of bitter pit in Golden Reinders apples

17 pag., 3 Tabl., 2 Fig.BACKGROUND: The effect of subjecting Golden Reinders apples to a low O2 pre-treatment (LOT; 1-2% O2) was evaluated as a strategy to decrease the rate of bitter pit (BP) incidence after standard cold storage (ST). Immediately after harvest, apples were stored for 10 days at 20 °C under low O2. Thereafter, apples were cold-stored (0-4 °C) for 4 months and changes were monitored in terms of BP incidence, fruit quality traits and mineral element concentrations. RESULTS: After 4 months cold storage, LOT apples presented a 2.6-fold decrease in the rate of BP incidence (14%) versus the values obtained for standard cold-stored fruits (37% BP incidence). LOT increased flesh firmness, total soluble solids and titratable acidity as compared to the quality traits determined for cold-stored fruits. Lower cortex Ca and Mg concentrations as compared to ST apples were determined in association with LOT, 2 months after cold storage. CONCLUSION: Application of a LOT prior to cold storage may be a promising strategy to reduce the incidence of BP and preserve fruit quality, which should be further investigated.This work was financed by DGA (PM005/2006) and INIA, PET2007-09-C5, co-financed by the European Social Fund. The work of Victoria Fernández is supported by a Juan de la Cierva-MEC postdoctoral contract, co-financed by the European Social Fund.Peer reviewe