POSTHARVEST PITTING OF FALLGLO TANGERINE

The morphology and etiology of postharvest pitting of 'Fallglo' [Bower citrus hybrid (Cirus reticulata Blanco x C. reticulata Blanco x C. pa radisi Macf.) x Temple (C. reticulata Blanco x C. sinensis L.)] peel w ere determined. The disorder was characterized by scattered collapse o f the flavedo that resulted from necrosis of cells within and envelopi ng the oil glands. In severe cases, damage occurred in epidermal and h ypodermal cells above collapsed oil glands and surrounding vascular ti ssues, but cells between oil glands were often undamaged. Fitting was caused by storing waxed fruit at high temperature (greater than or equ al to 15.5 degrees C), but was not affected by ethylene exposure durin g degreening. Fruit coated with commercially available shellac- and po lyethylene-based waxes pitted more than fruit coated with carnauba-bas ed waxes. Fitting was controlled by not coating the fruit with wax or storing the fruit at low temperature (4.5 degrees C) within hours afte r was application.