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Postharvest physio-pathological disorders in table grapes as affected by UV-C light
1ISPA-CNR Sassari, Traversa La Crucca, 3 Loc. Baldinca - 07100 Sassari, Italy.
Communications in Agricultural and Applied Biological Sciences
|July 27, 2013
Summary
Postharvest ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light treatment improved table grape quality by reducing decay, especially in susceptible cultivars.
Area of Science:
- Horticulture
- Postharvest Technology
- Plant Pathology
Background:
- Maintaining table grape quality after harvest is crucial for marketability.
- Postharvest decay, primarily from fungal pathogens like Botrytis cinerea, significantly impacts grape shelf-life.
- Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light is explored as a non-chemical treatment to enhance produce quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of postharvest UV-C light treatments on the keeping quality of four table grape cultivars.
- To determine the optimal UV-C dosage for improving table grape shelf-life.
- To evaluate cultivar-specific responses to UV-C treatment.
Main Methods:
- Commercially mature table grape bunches ('Corina', 'Dawn Seedless', 'Centennial Seedless', 'Gran Perlon') were treated with varying UV-C doses (0.0–3.0 kJm⁻²).
- Treated grapes were stored at 5°C/90% RH for 6 weeks, followed by a 2-day shelf-life at 25°C/70% RH.
- Evaluations included visual appearance, treatment damage, stem browning, berry shrivelling, weight loss, and decay incidence.
Main Results:
- UV-C treatment significantly reduced decay, with higher doses showing greater efficacy, particularly against Botrytis cinerea.
- 'Gran Perlon' exhibited the best overall performance and least susceptibility to decay.
- While most cultivars maintained acceptable appearance, 'Centennial Seedless' showed browning at higher UV-C doses; stem browning was cultivar-dependent, not UV-C induced.
- Weight loss and berry shrivelling were not significantly affected by UV-C treatment, while shatter was high in 'Corina'.
Conclusions:
- Postharvest UV-C light treatment demonstrates hormetic effects on table grapes, effectively reducing decay without compromising overall appearance in most cultivars.
- 'Gran Perlon' is the most promising cultivar for UV-C application due to its inherent resistance to decay.
- UV-C treatment offers a viable strategy for extending table grape shelf-life and reducing postharvest losses.
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