Preharvest Bagging as an Alternative Technique for Enhancing Fruit Quality: A Review

Buthelezi, Nana Millicent Duduzile; Mafeo, T. P.; Mathaba, N.

doi:10.21273/horttech04658-20

Cited by 15 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 63 publications

(132 reference statements)

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“…With this, there is an increased risk of sunburn, so removal of the bag must be done cautiously, possibly stepwise-for example, by using multi-layer bags [192]. Other benefits of pre-harvest bagging include a decreased incidence of sunburn [194,195], pest infestation and hail damage [196]. However, bagging fruit is laborious, so it requires a high-value product, a high-end market and/or a low labor cost for it to be economic.…”

Section: Baggingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Russeting of Fruits: Etiology and Management

2022

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The skin of a fruit protects the vulnerable, nutrient-rich flesh and seed(s) within from the hostile environment. It is also responsible for the fruit’s appearance. In many fruitcrop species, russeting compromises fruit appearance and thus commercial value. Here, we review the literature on fruit russeting, focusing on the factors and mechanisms that induce it and on the management and breeding strategies that may reduce it. Compared with a primary fruit skin, which is usually distinctively colored and shiny, a secondary fruit skin is reddish-brown, dull and slightly rough to the touch (i.e., russeted). This secondary skin (periderm) comprises phellem cells with suberized cell walls, a phellogen and a phelloderm. Russeted (secondary) fruit skins have similar mechanical properties to non-russeted (primary) ones but are more plastic. However, russeted fruit skins are more permeable to water vapor, so russeted fruits suffer higher postharvest water loss, reduced shine, increased shrivel and reduced packed weight (most fruit is sold per kg). Orchard factors that induce russeting include expansion-growth-induced strain, surface wetness, mechanical damage, freezing temperatures, some pests and diseases and some agrochemicals. All these probably act via an increased incidence of cuticular microcracking as a result of local concentrations of mechanical stress. Microcracking impairs the cuticle’s barrier properties. Potential triggers of russeting (the development of a periderm), consequent on cuticular microcracking, include locally high concentrations of O2, lower concentrations of CO2 and more negative water potentials. Horticulturists sometimes spray gibberellins, cytokinins or boron to reduce russeting. Bagging fruit (to exclude surface moisture) is also reportedly effective. From a breeding perspective, genotypes having small and more uniform-sized epidermal cells are judged less likely to be susceptible to russeting.

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Section: Baggingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Russeting of Fruits: Etiology and Management

2022

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“…A previous study involving 'Granny Smith' apples thinned and paperbagged at golf ball size showed a reduced incidence of codling moth infestation to 0.4% and 1.3% compared with 2.5% and 24.5% during the 2 years of the study; no difference in codling moth infestation was observed in fruit that were and were not thinned (Bentley and Viveros, 1992). Other apple insect control using bagging has been reviewed by Buthelezi et al, (2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nylon bags affected fruit quality, as indicated by the SSC, TA, and background color. Bags could be removed several weeks before harvest to improve fruit color (Buthelezi et al, 2021). Neither bag type was salvageable for reuse during the following season; therefore, they are not suitable for growers interested in sustainability.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Complete prevention of adults laying eggs on fruit is difficult because adults typically emerge near the time of full bloom; therefore, other methods to reduce overall populations are advised (for example, removing and destroying fallen fruit, trunk banding) (Murray and Alston, 2020). Fruit bagging can reduce the need for spraying and result in a high percentage of undamaged fruit (Bentley and Viveros, 1992) and, in many cases, enhance other aspects of fruit quality (Buthelezi et al, 2021). Information is limited, however.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Information is limited, however. A recent review of fruit bagging strategies called for more research because it discovered a dearth of published information pertaining to codling moth (Buthelezi et al, 2021). An extension guide by Alfuth (2019) indicates plastic bags can be effective but does not indicate the level of control.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Bagging Apple Fruit for Codling Moth Control in Western Montana

Leisso

Jarrett

Mendrey

et al. 2021

hortte

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Codling moth (Cydia pomonella) is a major insect pest of apple (Malus domestica). If unmanaged, then codling moth can infest nearly all apples in an orchard, where the flesh-tunneling larva leave frass-laden tracks in the fruit. Insecticide-based management requires accurate application timing (typically based on adult moth and/or degree-day monitoring) and multiple spray applications. Both the season-long commitment to codling moth monitoring and management and limited familiarity with insecticides, application tools, and proper application procedures can prevent a small-scale or backyard grower from effectively limiting fruit damage. In addition, an increasing segment of growers is interested in nonchemical alternatives. Bagging fruitlets early in the season could be a simple and effective method of codling moth management for this subset of growers. At our research orchard in Corvallis, MT, we tested a method combining fruit thinning and bagging using plastic bags the first season and nylon bags the second season. Plastic bags reduced the incidence of codling moth damage to fruit from 34% to 10%, but european earwig (Forficula auricularia) frass, which was found in more than 50% of plastic-bagged apples, made harvesting the fruit unappealing. We tested nylon fruit bags during the second year of the study. These bags did not significantly reduce the incidence of codling moth. Both the soluble solids content and titratable acidity were higher in unbagged fruit during the second year of the study, whereas color measurements indicated bagged fruit were greener on the shaded side of the fruit. Failure of the nylon bags may have been attributable to eggs laid before bagging, eggs laid or larva burrowing through bagging, or improper bag application methods. Further research could assess whole-tree bags, the addition of rubber bands or twist ties when applying nylon bags, pretreatment of fruit with horticulture oil, and/or dipping nylon bags in kaolin clay before application; however, these steps add time and increase costs, which may discourage the small-scale fruit grower. Overall, results indicate that fruit bagging holds promise for codling moth management; however, further work is needed to optimize the methodology.

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