FUMIGATION OF TABLE GRAPES WITH ACETIC-ACID TO PREVENT POSTHARVEST DECAY

Acetic acid (AA) fumigation controlled decay of Summerland Selection 4 94 and Selection 651 table grapes in repeated trials over a 3-year per iod when grapes were fumigated with 0.27% vol/vol AA and stored for 6 weeks at 2 or 5 degrees C. Fumigation of Selection 651 at approximatel y 2-week intervals with AA or SO2 controlled both Botrytis and Penicil lium decay and reduced berry shatter equally in two separate years. No significant difference occurred between SO2 and AA treatments in yiel d components (cluster and berry weight), fruit composition (degrees Br ix, titratable acidity, pH, and color), and degree of rachis drying.