Studies on the relationship between minerals and the development of storage breakdown in apples

Abstract

Minerals were added to apples by injection after harvest to determine their effect on low temperature breakdown. Calcium and barium reduced breakdown and potassium, iron and copper increased breakdown. The incidence of breakdown of Jonathan apples was found to be negatively correlated with the endogenous level of calcium and magnesium and positively correlated with the level of potassium in the fruit at harvest. The most consistent indicator of susceptibility to breakdown was the ratio of potassium to calcium in the fruit.