S. Bautistabanos et al., CURING OF KIWIFRUIT FOR CONTROL OF POSTHARVEST INFECTION BY BOTRYTIS-CINEREA, Postharvest biology and technology, 12(2), 1997, pp. 137-145
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.