Postharvest behavior of clonal selections of 'Periana' peaches

Four clonal selections of peaches (Prunus persica L., cultivar 'Periana') w ere stored at 0 degrees C for 4 weeks followed by a 3 day shelf life at 20 degrees C in two consecutive seasons and three selections studied in only o ne season. Ethylene production decreased during cold storage to a minimum v alue after 3-3.5 weeks. In the first season, particularly in fruit from the first harvest, flesh scald developed in the outer part of the mesocarp and to a lesser extent, a radiating form of internal browning. In the second s eason low sensitivity to chilling injury in 'Periana' peaches was associate d with advanced fruit maturity stage at harvest. Development of selection P 16 for long-term cold storage is recommended on basis of its quality parame ters and chilling resistance.