Storage life and ripening behavior of 'Cascade' pears as influenced by harvest maturity and storage temperature

'Cascade' pears (Pyrus communis L.) harvested at three stages of maturity w ith flesh firmness (FF) of 77.7 N, 63.0 N and 55.1 N respectively were stor ed in air at either -1 degrees C or 2 degrees C to evaluate storage life, r ipening behavior, and dessert quality upon ripening at 20 degrees C. Fruit stored at-1 degrees C softened at a much slower rate than fruit stored at 2 degrees C during 5 months of air storage, regardless of harvest maturity. Fruit stored at -1 degrees C developed little internal browning (IB) or sen escent scald (SS) until after 5 months of air storage, while fruit stored a t 2 degrees C developed IB and SS after 3 months of air storage regardless of harvest maturity. It was concluded that the proper temperature for long- term storage of 'Cascade' pears is -1 degrees C. Regardless of harvest matu rity, fruit were incapable of ripening normally without exposure to any chi lling temperature. After one month of air storage at -1 degrees C or 2 degr ees C, all fruit were capable of ripening normally. Early harvested fruit r ipened with melting juicy texture but lacked flavor. Fruit harvested later were capable of developing high dessert qualities including melting juicy t exture, distinct mixed 'Bartlett' and 'Comice' pear aroma and tart sweet ta ste upon ripening. Fruit with FF between 63.0 N and 55.1 N was considered t o be at optimum maturity for commercial harvest.