Response of 'Lambert' and 'Ron's Seedling' sweet cherries to fumigation with methyl bromide plus cold storage

Abstract

Fumigation with methyl bromide followed by storage for 10 or 30 days at 1° retarded weight loss in 'Ron's Seedling' sweet cherries. Loss of skin colour was delayed in 'Lambert' sweet cherries fumigated with 32 dm3 methyl bromide when fumigated at 17°C, compared with fruit not fumigated and those treated with 48 g/m3 methyl bromide. Treatment with 32 dm3 increased the frequency of peduncle abscission in both varieties without serious phytotoxic effects on fruit quality.