Aspects Concerning the Maintaining of the Peaches’ Quality After Harvest

Abstract

This paper presents the resistance of peaches to storage, in different technological conditions. Two varieties of peach were studied: 'Jerseyland' and 'Collins', cultivated in the experimental fields of the Research Station for Fruit Growing Constanta (RSFG). Their storage testing was performed at the Institute of Research and Development for Industrialization and Marketing of Horticultural Products Bucharest (RDIMHP). The technological variants pursued were: 'Collins' variety: V1 -20-22°C (ambient temperature), V2 -10-12°C, V3 -3-5ºC + AM (modified atmosphere), 'Jerseyland' variety: V1 -20-22°C, V2 -10-12° C, V3 -3-5°C + AM. The mass losses and the qualitative depreciation of the fruits were determined during the storage, as well as the initial level and the evolution of the firmness and of the main biochemical components of the fruits. The results obtained during the study period (2015-2018) showed that peaches are sensitive to storage, the quality maintenance period after harvesting being of maximum 20 days, depending on the storage conditions and variety. The best results were obtained, in both varieties, in the case of storing the fruits under conditions enriched in CO2 (3-5° C + AM), the total losses being significantly lower compared to the other storage methods. Of the two varieties, 'Jerseyland' has the ability to maintain a better quality after harvest.