Year: 1974
Type: article
Abstract: Adding 250 ppm benomyl or 500 ppm thiabendazole (TBZ) to contaminated dump-tank water in apple-packing plants reduced subsequent decay of fruit packed in polyethylene bags. In 9 tests with bagged apples ( Malus domestica ) stored in master containers for 3 months at 0°C plus 2 weeks at 21°C, decay averaged 6.0% in control lots, 3.9% with TBZ, and 1.8% with benomyl. Bags containing at least 1 decayed apple after this holding period averaged 44% for control lots, 27% with TBZ, and 19% with benomyl. However, 3 months at 0°C plus 2 weeks at 21°C was too long to store prepackaged apples in cartons, because of the high percentage of bags with decay. The fungicides also reduced decay during shorter storage of 2 weeks at 4.4°C plus 2 weeks at 21°C. Combination fungicide and scald-inhibitor treatments before bagging were effective. Without scald inhibitors about 33% of the apples scalded, while with scald inhibitors, alone or combined with fungicides, 10% scalded.
Author: R. E. Hardenburg
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,500
OpenAlex ID: W4289845481