ARS | Publication request: EXTENDING SHELF-LIFE WITH A PRE-HARVEST NON-RESIDUAL SPRAY

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 1, 2006
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Strawberry is the most important berry crop in Florida. Yearly losses can be attributed to pre and postharvest decay caused by Botrytis cinerea P. Micheli ex Pers., and postharvest decay due primarily to Rhizopus stolonifer (Ehrenb. ex Fr.) Vuillemin. It has been shown that prophylactic fungicide sprays in the field reduce postharvest decay, but leave residues on the berries and availability of compound for fungi to acquire resistance. In this study peroxyacetic acid (100 ppm solution) was sprayed on the flowers and developing berries 1,2 and 3 days preharvest. Those berries sprayed 3 days prior to harvest had significantly less decay than berries that were sprayed 1 day preharvest or not sprayed. Berries sprayed in the field with peroxyacetic acid and then coated with a 1% chitosan coating, had a significantly longer storage life than non-coated berries.