CURING OF KIWIFRUIT FOR CONTROL OF POSTHARVEST INFECTION BY BOTRYTIS-CINEREA

The effects of temperature and humidity during curing on subsequent in fection levels of B. cinerea in kiwifruit were investigated in 1993 an d 1994. After harvest, each fruit was inoculated with 25 000 spores in a 17 mu l droplet of Tween 20. Dry conidial application was also incl uded in 1994 experiments. The largest curing effect was obtained at 10 degrees C. Disease incidence was highest at 0 degrees C and the curin g effect diminished at temperatures above 10 degrees C. In 1994 a thre e day curing period was used and 10 degrees C gave the lowest subseque nt disease incidence. After twelve weeks of cool storage (1993) there was less disease in fruit cured at 89-95% relative humidity than at lo wer humidities. In 1994, comparable results were obtained. Firmness fl uctuated with harvest and in general, decreased with storage, although a satisfactory firmness was maintained throughout cool storage for al l treatments. For all experiments, weight loss increased with increase d curing temperature or with decreased relative humidity. (C) 1997 Els evier Science B.V.