High-Precision Technologies of Storage of Apple Fruits Is the Basis for Ensuring Their Quality: Achievements, Challenges for the Future

V. A. Gudkovsky¹, L. V. Kozhina¹, Y. B. Nazarov¹, A. E. Balakirev¹, R. B. Gocheva^2
1I. V. Michurin Federal Scientific Center, ul. Michurina, 30, Michurinsk, Tambovskaya obl., 393774, Russian Federation
²ООО «Sady Baksana», ul. Evgazhukova, 121, s. Islamei, Baksanskii r-n, Kabardino-Balkarskaya Respublika, 361520, Russian Federation

Abstract. Fruit quality is an integral indicator of their competitiveness under market conditions. The purpose of our research was to develop high-precision varietal technologies for managing the quality of fruits during storage and bringing to the consumer, ensuring the extension of shelf life while maintaining the original quality of the product as much as possible. The studies were performed at the premises of I.V. Michurin Federal Scientific Center (Tambov region), ZAO “15 Let Oktyabrya”, OAO “Agronom-Sad” (Lipetsk region), OOO “Sad-Gigant” (Krasnodar region), OOO “Sady Baksana” (Kabardino-Balkaria) in 1987–2018. We used the fruits of the main zoned and promising apple varieties from the southern and the central horticultural zones (43 varieties). A part of the fruits was treated with Phytomag preparation. Production was stored at four temperature regimes, under common air conditions (CA) and regulated air conditions (RA) with different O2 and CO2 contents. The content of ethylene, alpha-farnesene and products of its oxidation, fruit firmness, losses from diseases during storage and bringing to the consumer were determined. Variety genotype, conditions of cultivation and storage determine fruit susceptibility to many physiological diseases. High-precision technologies for fruit quality managing in the post-harvest period based on differentiation of storage factors (temperature, the content of CO2 and O2) and treatment with Phytomag in relation to the variety provided an absence or minimization of losses caused by “stressful” storage factors and maximum quality preservation. For CA (control) technologies, the duration of the effect was 1–4 months, for CA + Phytomag – 4–7 months, for RA (control) – 4–7 months for 35% of the studied varieties, and it was not recommended for 65% of varieties due to high risks of gas injury, for RA + Phytomag – 6–9 months. Indicators that determine the potential of storability of fruits during harvesting (ethylene concentration, iodine-starch index, firmness, the content and the ratio of mineral elements, etc.) and storage (concentration of ethylene and alpha-farnesene oxidation products, firmness, susceptibility to diseases, etc.) can be effectively used for choice of technologies and duration of storage; for adjustment of storage parameters and sales plans, respectively.

Keywords: apple fruits; varieties; storage in common and regulated atmosphere; quality; physiological diseases; regimes and duration of storage.

Author Details: V. A. Gudkovsky, D. Sc. (Agr.), member of the RAS, head of division (e-mail: Этот адрес электронной почты защищён от спам-ботов. У вас должен быть включен JavaScript для просмотра.); L. V. Kozhina, Cand. Sc. (Agr.), leading research fellow; Y. B. Nazarov, Cand. Sc. (Agr.), senior research fellow; A. E. Balakirev, Cand. Sc. (Agr.), research fellow; R. B. Gocheva, technologist.

For citation: Gudkovsky V. A., Kozhina L. V., Nazarov Y. B., Balakirev A. E., Gocheva R. B. High-Precision Technologies of Storage of Apple Fruits Is the Basis for Ensuring Their Quality: Achievements, Challenges for the Future. Dostizheniya nauki i tekhniki APK. 2019. Vol. 33. No. 2. Pp. 61-67 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.24411/0235-2451-2019-10215.