Combinations of low and high temperatures with light were applied to detach
ed 'Granny Smith' apples to assess their role in the reported effect of col
d nights and warm days on blush formation in apple skin. Of the temperature
combinations tried, 4 degrees C for 16 h in the dark followed by UVB-Visib
le light at 20 degrees C for 75 h was the most effective in increasing anth
ocyanin concentrations in green fruit skin. UVB-Visible light was essential
for anthocyanin accumulation, regardless of the temperature combination. W
E-Visible light appeared to induce quercetin accumulation without an effect
of temperature. It was concluded that cool nights followed by warm days wh
en UVB and light is incident on the fruit skin will bring about blush forma
tion in apple fruit. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.