Effects of frequency of sulfur dioxide fumigation during storage on decay and fumigation injury in emperor grapes

Journal Article · Sat Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1956 · Phytopathology; (United States)

OSTI ID:5518131

Harvey, J M

Normally, California table grapes are fumigated initially with a 1 per cent concentration of sulfur dioxide gas for 20 minutes and subsequently at intervals of 7 to 10 days during storage with a 1/4 per cent concentration of gas. Fumigation greatly reduces decay, but may also cause chemical injury to the fruit. A series of experiments was conducted during a 3-year period to determine the amount of decay and injury that occurred when grapes were fumigated during storage at intervals of 7, 14, or 21 days. The effect of frequency of fumigation as related to harvest date and length of storage also was determined. A consistent relation between frequency of fumigation during storage and sulfur dioxide injury could not be demonstrated in these studies. There was some evidence that mechanical injuries, which allowed the gas to penetrate the berries more readily, and high initial concentration of gas were more important as causes of fumigation injury than was frequency of fumigation during storage. When grapes were stored for long periods, more decay developed in those that received the less frequent fumigations than in those that were fumigated more often. The frequencies of fumigation used in this study had no significant effect on decay in grapes stored for short periods. The results also indicated that more decay occurred in grapes harvested late in the season than in those picked early. There was also a positive correlation between length of storage and percentage decay. 25 references, 1 figure, 1 table.

• Research Organization: Dept. of Agriculture, Fresno, CA
• OSTI ID: 5518131
• Journal Information: Phytopathology; (United States), Journal Name: Phytopathology; (United States) Vol. 46; ISSN PHYTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

553000 -- Agriculture & Food Technology
560303* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Plants-- (-1987)
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CHALCOGENIDES
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
FOLIAR UPTAKE
FOOD
FRUITS
FUMIGANTS
FUNGI
GRAPES
GROWTH
INJURIES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PESTICIDES
PLANTS
PRESERVATION
STORAGE LIFE
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES
TOXICITY
UPTAKE