Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

1. Carolina Torres was unanimously elected to be next secretary. New members were welcomed and encouraged to complete Appendix E.
2. Next year NE1836 meeting will be held in Orlando before ASHS meeting. Elizabeth Mitcham will contact ASHS.

There were twelve written reports in total. Eight of them were presented during the meeting, and four nonattending members submitted reports electronically. 

3. New members and guests gave a brief discussion of research conducted and plans of work.
4. Plans for collaborative research were developed.

Objective 1:  Adapt or develop harvest, handling and storage technologies to improve fruit quality, increase consumption and reduce food waste.

Objective 2: Improve our understanding of the biology of fruit quality to further our development of harvest and storage technology and development of new plant materials.

British Columbia, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Peter Toivonen.

1.1 The DA meter has been found to be more reliable for estimating harvest date in Ambrosia apple in BC despite many micro-climates in the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys.  Dry matter content at harvest influences Ambrosia apple sensory quality after longer term storage, apples with less than 15% dry matter being watery and tasteless after 6 months of CA storage. Confirmatory work is being undertaken in 2019.  Research using both the DA meter and spectrometer to measure single cherries is demonstrating that in 2018, color and dry matter contents at harvest were only loosely correlated.

2.1. A new cultivar named SPA1080 is being harvested based on DA meter values since these apples do not soften even when starch pattern indices are clear. 1-MCP does not affect the responses of SPA1080 to 1-MCP treatment including internal browning incidence.

California, UC Davis, Elizabeth Mitcham, Claire Adkinson, Bill Biasi, Bikoba, Reitz, Richmond, Freedman.

1.1 Improving the quality of stored walnuts by understanding the influence of temperature, RH and pasteurization on rate of deterioration. 

2.1 Lignification in blossom end rot affected tomatoes.

2.2 Elucidating the mechanism of pit formation in sweet cherries.

Florida Ag. Exp. Stn., J. Brecht and S. Sargent collaborating with USDA/ARS-FL and ARS-WV

1.1 Collaboration with Michigan State Univ. Scale Neutral Harvest Aid System and Sensor Technologies to Improve Harvest Efficiency and Handling of Fresh Market Highbush Blueberries.  Conduct field tests of a redesigned Over-The-Row harvester with rotary shakers and compare fruit quality with those harvested by conventional OTR harvesters in several production areas in the country, beginning in April in North Florida.

1.2.  Smart Monitoring and Analytics in the Strawberry Supply Chain

1.3.  Potential Scenarios for Hydro-Handling, Packing and Cooling of Fresh Strawberries Following Mechanical Harvest.

2.1. Strategies to Improve Peach Fruit Quality and Size

2.2. Postharvest Evaluation of Potential New Mango Varieties               

2.3.  Overcoming Limitations for Processing Riper Mango Fruit for Fresh-cut Mango. The application of citric acid solutions could be a suitable, easy and economic strategy to achieve several days of additional shelf life for fresh-cut slices prepared from riper mango fruit, for which shelf life is limited by browning.

2.4. It’s Fresh: The Role of Wound-induced Ethylene Production and Sensitivity to Ethylene in Determining the Efficacy of Ethylene Adsorption in Extending Produce Shelf Life of Strawberry. ‘Monterey’, ‘Florida Radiance’ and ‘Cultivar A’ were more susceptible to bruising than ‘Sweet Sensation’ and ‘Cultivar B’, and showed more ethylene-enhanced symptoms, including darker color or severe water-soaking at the injured area or yellowing or browning of the calyx compared with unbruised control fruit of ‘Cultivar B’ with the lowest wound ethylene production also exhibited the lowest bruising severity.

2.5.  A Possible Role for Ethylene in Banana Fruit Chilling Injury.

2.6.  Role of Mineral Nutrition in Fruit Development, Fruit Quality, and Postharvest Storage Life of HLB-affected Mandarin Cultivars.  Sensory evaluation showed higher scores for mandarin flavor intensity and sweetness, and lower scores for sourness in K- and B-treated-fruit compared with the control fruit. Overall, K and B separately and in combination improved the fruit quality attributes of HLB-affected ‘LB8-9’.

2.7.  Plant Essential Oils to Enhance Decay Control of Florida Fresh Strawberries.

Univ. of Hawaii, Robert E. Paull, Nancy J. Chen, Alton Arakaki, Jensen Uyeda

Pineapple

1..1 Using biotechnology and management strategies to minimize precocious flowering.

1.2. Determine the factors that control the sugar/acid ratio in the new low acid varieties.

1.3. Determine the importance of different preharvest factors that influence postharvest fruit quality.

Papaya

1.4. We are continuing to develop varieties that possess slow ripening traits and have commercial potential. Jasmonic acid if applied to papaya fruit before the 25% yellow stage delays the rise in respiration and ethylene production and leads to incomplete softening. The actual hydrolases and other cell wall enzymes impacted seem to be the same as found with the disruption found with 1-MCP treatment.

2.1.  We are still analyzing papaya fruit ripening transcriptome data and waiting on the chromosome bases annotation to publish these results. Preliminary evaluation of our two ripening runs is showing very different cell wall metabolism than that reported for other fruit such as tomato.

2.2.  We are evaluating our pineapple fruit development transcriptome sequence data looking particularly for confirmation as to what systems are involved in sugar and acid metabolism as the fruit approach maturity. We have characterized the expressed genes related to cell wall metabolism and sugar synthesis and are currently looking at how these are being controlled.

Univ. of Maine, R. Moran, collaborations with Cindy Tong, Jennifer DeEll and the NC140.

1.1. Preharvest weather and Honeycrisp soft scald.  Fruit harvested one day before 44 mm of rain had greater soft scald incidence than fruit harvested just after the rain event. 

1.2.  Positional effects within tree canopy in Maine, Ontario and Minnesota.  Bitter pit, lenticel breakdown, soft scald and soggy breakdown did not vary between sun and shade-exposed fruit in ME and MN.  In ON, soft scald was slightly more prevalent in sun-exposed fruit from harvest 3, but not before.  In ME, diffuse flesh browning was worse in sun-exposed fruit from harvest 2. Large tree-to-tree variation in soft scald occurred indicating unknown tree factors contribute to susceptibility.

1.3.  NC140 collaboration.  Rootstock affected on bitter pit incidence in 2017 and 2018.  Low incidence occurred with G.969, B.10, M.26 and G.214.

1.4.  Quantification of Phytonutrient Bioactives in Plums. European plums had relatively higher hydroxycinnamic acid concentration than Asian plums. Antioxidant capacity was greatest in American plums.  The relationship of antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content was curvilinear indicating that the increase in antioxidant activity with increase in total phenolics occurred at a greater rate when phenolic concentration was low. 

Univ. of Maryland, Christopher Walsh, Audra Bissett, Kathy Hunt and Michael Newell. Cooperators in Pennsylvania: Tara Baugher and Norma Young

1.1. Conditioning trials with Premier Honeycrisp and Honeycrisp. Conditioning is not routinely practiced by growers in the Mid-Atlantic region.  Conditioned apples were evaluated after six months storage.  We have not seen soft scald in the past three years.  In 2016 there was little effect of conditioning while in 2017 conditioning appeared to increase post-harvest fruit rots.  Evaluations of stored Premier Honeycrisp and Honeycrisp fruit harvested in 2018 showed that same pattern, with conditioning again increasing storage rots. 

1.2.  Apple Fruit Maturity Indices in new and standard varieties grown in mid Atlantic.  Weekly harvests Premier Honeycrisp, Gala, Honeycrisp, Autumn Crisp, Daybreak Fuji, CrimsonCrisp, Fuji, GoldRush, Granny Smith and Cripps Pink were made in commercial apple orchards in Adams County, PA. 

1.3. Comparison of Delta A Values and Starch Levels on Honeycrisp Apple Fruit. During early August harvests, there was no correlation between ground color (Delta A values) and starch pattern index in individual apples.  Beginning two weeks before harvest, a small but significant correlation developed (R² of 0.12 and 0.15 on August 22 and 31 respectively). 

Michigan State Univ., Randy Beaudry, Aline Priscilla Gomes da Silva, Diep Tran, Phil Engelgau, Patrick Abeli, Ben Paskus, Sangeeta Chopra, Norbert Mueller, Robert Tritten, Bill Shane, Amy Irish-Brown, Nikki Rothwell, Phil Schwallier

1.1. Harvesting Efficiency of Various Over-the-Row Blueberry Harvesters. The results demonstrate that there may not be large differences in the amount of ripe fruit harvested by three different harvesters (OXBO7440, Littau, OXBO8040), unless the harvester is not suitably sized for the bushes being harvested.

1.2. Blueberry fruit firmness measurements. While the Shore durometer was the most low-tech method we tested, it correlates well with the values obtained from the FirmTech instrument (R² = 0.87) and may act as an inexpensive substitute method for firmness assessment.

1.3. Designing a thermal battery for off-grid solar powered refrigeration of perishables in India.

    A hybrid evaporatively-cooled and solar-refrigerated structure was successfully constructed and able to maintain temperatures between 8 and 14 °C using a low-cost thermal storage 'battery' made from inexpensive irrigation tubing filled with chilled water.

1.4. Low temperature slows 1-MCP release from an a-cyclodextrin encapsulant dissolved in water.  Low temperatures of the water in which the a-cyclodextrin encapsulant was dissolved increased the lag-time before release initiated and increased the amount of time needed to achieve maximal release. For optimal release of 1-MCP warm (30 °C) water should be used.

2.1. Investigating the Diversity of Branched-Chain Ester Content in Apple Fruit.

   Three isoforms of citramalate synthase (MdCMS_1, 2, and 3) were found among 19 apple varieties evaluated.  Varieties with exceptionally low 2MB:SC values were found to be homozygous for MdCMS_2, the isoform of citramalate synthase found to have an eight-fold decrease of enzyme activity compared to MdCMS_1, which may very well explain the observed low 2MB:SC values as well as the very low 2MB-derived ester levels of these apples (< 5 nmol/L).

2.2 Inhibition of 1-MCP action by low O_2. Low O₂ can be used to modulate the response of plant materials to 1-MCP, suggesting that it inhibits ethylene action by preventing the formation of a functional binding site.

Univ. of Minnesota, Cindy Tong.

1.1 A collaborative study was initiated with researchers in Maine and Ontario on Honeycrisp fruit. Once a week for 3 successive weeks, 15 fruit sun-exposed and 15 shade fruit of each of 5 trees were harvested from a commercial orchard in MN. Only the disorders soft scald and soggy breakdown were observed. The presence of these disorders was related to harvest date and not related to sun-exposure.

Cornell Univ., New York, Cornell University, Chris Watkins, Yosef Al Shoffe, Yiyi Zhang, Jackie Nock, Shih Ding Tsai, Robin Dando, (Susan Brown, Kevin Maloney)

1.1. Non-mineral prediction methods (magnesium, ethylene, passive) for bitter pit prediction of ‘Honeycrisp’ were investigated. Prediction methods slightly under-estimate the incidence that occurs during normal storage conditions.  However, the passive method had consistent results in different orchards, different regions and over successive years, and was better than or as good as mineral based methods.

1.2. Collaboration with Penn. State Univ. Bitter pit and soft scald development during storage of non-conditioned and conditioned ‘Honeycrisp’ apples in relation to mineral contents and harvest indices has been investigated. Multivariate analysis described significant relationships that were different for non-conditioned and conditioned fruit.

1.3. Fruit quality and physiological disorder development of ‘Honeycrisp’ apples after pre- and post-harvest 1-methycyclopropene (1-MCP) treatments. While Harvista may be a useful tool to delay harvest, effects on storage disorders must be taken into account, and caution used when 1-MCP applications are made to fruit after harvest.

1.4. Initial short-term storage at 33°F followed by storage at 38°F maintained the highest percentage of healthy Honeycrisp fruit in the two seasons.

1.5. ‘NY1’ and ‘NY2’, with commercial names of ‘SnapDragon’ and ‘RubyFrost’ respectively are growing in importance for the NY industry. Identification of CA regimes and storage temperatures is elusive. Susceptibility of fruit to browning disorders such as internal carbon dioxide injury, low temperature disorders, and senescence occurs in both cultivars.

1.6. Stem end flesh browning (STFB) of ‘Gala’ apples is a disorder that appears to be becoming more prevalent within New York and across growing areas around the world. We are finding that Harvista decreases disorder incidence and DCA delays it. 1-MCP can sometimes increase incidence of STFB but the effects are inconsistent. No single measure appears to control the problem.

1.7. Non-destructive prediction of soluble solids and dry matter contents in eight apple cultivars using near-infrared spectroscopy. Overall the results support use of a portable NIR-based instrument to predict SSC and DMC, but to obtain precision and accurate predictions, calibration models should be built based on individual cultivars and the variability from seasonal and regional effects have to be taken into consideration.

2.1. The effects of storing ‘Honeycrisp’ apples in air at 0.5 °C for a total of 140 days, without and with conditioning, on internal ethylene concentration (IEC), ethanol and acetaldehyde concentrations, and activities of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) were investigated in relation to soft scald incidence. During subsequent storage, IEC was greatest in conditioned fruit, whereas ethanol and acetaldehyde concentrations were generally less. However, ADH and PDC activities were inconsistently affected by conditioning or storage.

2.2. In 2018, experiments were carried out to investigate changes in antioxidants and metabolism in ‘Gala’ stem, calyx, and core tissues in response to CA and DCA. Of course, browning did not develop for the first time in our ‘browning block’ of ‘Gala’’.

North Carolina State Univ. Penelope Perkins-Veazie, Renee Threlfell, University of Arkansas; Gina Fernandez, NCSU

1.1. Handheld digital acid meters and also a new pH meter are available to quickly measure titratable acidity and pH in foods and crops.  The Atago FX5, which has settings for 5 crops (citrus, grape, tomato, strawberry, blueberry) was tested against an automated titrimeter. The two hand held instruments offer a means for growers and extension agents to do assessments of sourness for fruit crops inexpensively and without the need for a lab setup.

2.1. Muscadine screening for stable anthocyanins. Three of the 40 seedlings were found to have 10-fold more malvidin 3,5 diglucoside, and a doubled amount of total anthocyanin in 2018 harvests.  These results indicate that the amount of malvidin can be successfully increased in muscadine and may lead to more stable juice and wine products.

2.2. Watermelon cell wall composition, especially pectin, is considered a vital part of the postharvest storage life in fresh produce.  Watermelon has been found to have increased firmness when grafted to interspecific squash rootstocks and also has increased amounts of chelated pectin.  Cell number and cell area were not changed in grafted fruit compared to non-grafted fruit as determined using confocal microscopy.  We are following the monosaccharide structure of hydrolyzed and/or methylated pectin to determine if and how the cell wall assembly is changed with grafting.  

Ontario, OMAFRA, Jennifer DeEll

1.1.  Maturity at harvest and quality after storage in HW6XX pears.  Senescent scald was the main problem in storage.

1.2.  Effect of turbo versus HSS sprayers on Harvista effectiveness in Ambrosia apples.  HSS was slightly better.

1.3.  Preharvest 1-MCP timing on Gala disorders stem-end cracking and splits.  Spraying time is very important.

1.4.  Short-term CA storage for Honeycrisp apples.  Results suggest the potential for bitter pit management by CA established during conditioning with minimal development of other postharvest disorders.

USDA-ARS Beltsville, Tianbao Yang and Wayne Jurik.

1. Ultrasound treatment is effective to activate -D-glucosidase with potentially aroma enhancing capability.
2. Identification of two putative strawberry fruit ripening regulators.

Cho, N. Chen and R.E. Paull, 2016. Modification of production systems for year-round marketing. Acta Horticulturae 1205, 191-202

Al Shoffe, Y., Nock, F.N., Zhang, Y., Zhu, L., Watkins, C.B. 2019. Comparisons of mineral and non-mineral prediction methods for bitter pit in ‘Honeycrisp’ apples. Scientia Hortic. 254:116-123;

Al Shoffe, Y., Shah, A.S., Nock, J.F., Watkins, C.B. 2018. Acetaldehyde and ethanol metabolism in relation to conditioning effects on soft scald development in ‘Honeycrisp’ apples. HortScience 53: 1347-1351

Al Shoffe, Y., Watkins, C.B. 2018. Initial short-term storage at 33⁰F reduces physiological disorder development in ‘Honeycrisp’ apples. HortTechnology. 28:481-484

Alsmairat, N., P. Engelgau, and R. Beaudry. 2018. Changes in free amino acid content in the flesh and peel of ‘Cavendish’ banana fruit as related to branched-chain ester production, ripening, and senescence. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 143(5):1–11.

Alsmairat, N., R.M. Beaudry. 2018. Changes in free amino acid content in the flesh and peel of ‘Cavendish’ banana fruit as related to branched-chain ester production, ripening, and senescence. Annual meeting American Society for Horticultural Science, 28 July - 4 Aug., Washington, D.C. (abstract)

Beaudry, R., P. Abeli, P., Fanning, R. Isaacs. 2018. Evaluation of insect disinfestation options for blueberry fruit. Agripace. Nov. 26 - 28, Bangkok Thailand. (abstract).

Bertucci, M.B., Jennings, K.M., Monks, D.W., Schultheis, J.R., Perkins-Veazie, P. 2018. early season growth, yield, and fruit quality of standard and mini watermelon grafted onto several commercially available cucurbit rootstocks. HortTechnology 28 (4), 459-469.

Brikis, Zarei, Chiu, Deyman, Liu, Trobacher, Hoover, Subedi, DeEll, Bozzo, and Shelp. 2018.  Targeted quantitative profiling of metabolites and gene transcripts associated with GABA in apple fruit stored under multiple abiotic stresses. Hort. Res. 5:61.

Carnelossi, M., J.K. Brecht, D. Huber, L.M. Carvalho, and S.A. Sargent. 2018. Vacuum infusion of pectin methylesterase and calcium maintains firmness of the fresh-cut strawberry. Actas Portuguesas de Horticultura 29:132-140.

Carnelossi, M.A.G., E.O.A. Sena, A.D. Berry and S.A. Sargent. 2019. Effect of forced-air cooling, hydrocooling, or their combination on fruit quality of two southern highbush blueberry cultivars.  HortScience 54:136-142.

Chopra, S. and R. Beaudry. 2018. Innovative composite wall designs for evaporative cooled storage structures Indian J. Agric. 88:1692-1695.

Chopra, S., and R. Beaudry. 2018. Redesigning evaporatively cooled rooms to incorporate solar powered refrigeration in India. Acta Hort. 1194:609-615.

De, J., A. Sreedharan, Y. Li, A. Gutierre, J.K. Brecht, S.A. Sargent, and K.R. Schneider. 2019. Comparing the efficacy of postharvest cooling methods to enhance fruit quality and reduce Salmonella in artificially inoculated southern highbush blueberry. HortTechnology 29:314-319.

Daniels, M., A.H. Simonne, S. Jensen, D. Diehl, K.P. Shelnutt, C. Bruhn, J.K. Brecht, A.F. Wysocki, R. Cook, and E. Mitcham. 2018. Consumer perceptions of quality and price of high-value specialty crops in supermarkets in the United States: Lessons for producers, handlers and educators. Acta Hort. 1213:21-30.

Doerflinger, F.C., Nock, J.F., Miller, W.B., Watkins, C.B. 2019. Preharvest aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) effects on ethylene and starch concentrations of ‘Empire’ and ‘McIntosh’ apples. Scientia Hortic. 244: 134-140

Fall, L.A., Perkins-Veazie, P., Ma, G. and McGregor, C. 2019.  QTLs associated with flesh quality traits in an elite × elite watermelon population. Euphytica 215:30-35.

Flaherty, DeEll, Shelp and Bozzo. 2018.  1-MCP affects shelf-life of controlled atmosphere stored Cold Snap pears. Can. J. Plant Sci. 98:1365-1375.

Flaherty, Lum, DeEll, Subedi, Shelp and Bozzo.  2018.  Metabolic alterations in postharvest pear fruit as influenced by 1-MCP and controlled atmosphere storage. J. Agric. Food Chem. 66:12989-12999.

Gallardo, R.K., E.T. Stafne, L.W. DeVetter, Q. Zhang, C. Li, F. Takeda, J. Williamson, W.Q. Yang, W.O. Cline, R. Beaudry, and R. Allen. 2018. blueberry producers’ attitudes toward harvest mechanization for fresh market. HortTechnology, 28: 10-16.

Gomes, M.H., Beaudry, R.M., and Almeida, D.P.F. 2018. Volatile profile of fresh-cut ‘Rocha’ pear under various temperatures and oxygen levels. Acta Hort. 1209:247-250.

Guillén, F., N.J. Chen, G. Uruu, R.E. Paull. 2018. Methyl jasmonate as postharvest treatment enhances quality of pineapple during storage at ambient temperature. Acta Horticulturae

Guillén, F., N.J. Chen, G. Uruu, R.E. Paull. 2018. Methyl jasmonate as postharvest treatment enhances quality of pineapple during storage at ambient temperature. POST18 XII Simposio Nacional y Iberico de Maduracion y Postsecha, Badajoz 2018 June 4 -7 Poster S2-P11.

Guimarães, G.H., S. de Melo Silva, R. Silva, M. Madruga, A.S. Sousa, A. Brito, and R. Beaudry. 2018. Effect of plant-based coatings on the volatile profile of 'Pérola' pineapple. Acta Hort. 1194:1519-1526

Hartman, J.L., Perkins-Veazie, P., Wehner, T.C. 2019. Citrulline and arginine are moderately heritable in two red-fleshed watermelon populations. HortScience 54(2):200-205.

Hartman, J.L., Wehner, T., Ma, G., Perkins-Veazie, P. 2019. Citrulline and arginine content of taxa of cucurbitaceae. Horticulturae 5 (1):22.

Iqbal, Z., Randhawa, M. A., Zahoor, T., Asghar, M., and Beaudry, R. 2018. Influence of 1-methylcyclopropene on physico-chemical properties of ‘Gola’ and ‘Surahi’ guava (Psidium guajava L.) under air storage. Pakistan J. Agric. Sci, 55(2):389-396.

Jiang, F., A. Lopez, S. Jeon, S.T. de Freitas, Q. Yu, Z. Wu, J. Labavitch, S. Tian, A.L. Powell, and E. Mitcham.  2019.  Disassembly of the fruit cell wall by the ripening-associated polygalacturonase and expanin influences tomato cracking.  Hort. Research 6:17.

Lee, J., Cheng, L., Rudell, D.R., Nock, J. F., Watkins, C.B. 2019. Antioxidant metabolism in stem and calyx end tissues in relation to flesh browning development during storage of 1-methylcyclopropene treated ‘Empire’ apples.  Postharvest Biol. Technol. 149:66-73.;

Lobos, G.A., C. Bravo, M. Valdés, J. Graell, I. Lara, R.M. Beaudry, and C. Moggia. 2018. Within-plant variability in blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.): maturity at harvest and position within the canopy influence fruit firmness at harvest and postharvest. Postharvest Biology Technol. 146:26-35.

McClure, K.A., Gardner, K.M., Douglas, G.M., Song, J., Forney, C.F., DeLong, J., Fan, L., Du, L., Toivonen, P.M.A., Somers, D.J., Rajcan, I., Myles, S. 2018. A genome-wide association study of apple quality and scab resistance. The Plant Genome 11(1): 1-14

Mercier, S., J.K. Brecht, and I. Uysal. 2019. Commercial forced-air precooling of strawberries: a temperature distribution and correlation study. J. Food Eng.  242:47-54.

Nourredine, B., and R.M. Beaudry. 2018. Effects of temperature on postharvest respiratory parameters and quality attributes of ackee (Blighia sapida Köenig) fruit arils during storage. International Food Research Journal 25(1): 119 - 126.

Paull, R. E. and N. J. Chen. Postharvest Losses and Safety of Fruits and Vegetables for Enhanced Sustainability. (Abstract) International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture for Rural Development 2018 (ICSARD-2018), 19-20 October 2018, Purwokerto-Indonesia

Pent, Meyers, Yang, Whitaker, Trouth, Shangguan, Huang, Litt, Little, Ke, Jurik.2019. A novel hydroxycinnamoyl transferase is responsible for synthesis of hydroxycinnamoyl spermine conjugate in Solanum richardii fruits. BMC Plant Biol. 19:261.

Pinto, P.M., P.C. Spricigo, S.R. da Silva, S.A. Sargent, A.P. Jacomino. 2018. Effect of 1-MCP and low temperature storage on postharvest conservation of camu-camu. Acta Physiologia Plantarum 40:205.

Sena, E.O.A., P.S.O. da Silva, H.G.S. de Araujo, M.C.A. Batista, P.N. Matos, S.A. Sargent, L.F.G. Oliveira Junior, and M.A.G. Carnelossi. 2019. Postharvest quality of cashew apple after hydrocooling and cold room. Postharvest Biology & Technology 155:65-71.

Shelp, Deyman, DeEll, and Bozzo. 2019.  Polyamine homeostasis in apple fruit stored under multiple abiotic stresses. Can. J. Plant Sci. 99:88-92.

Suchoff, D.H., Perkins-Veazie, P., Sederoff, H.W., Schultheis, J.R., Gunter, C. 2018. Grafting the indeterminate tomato cultivar Moneymaker onto Multifort rootstock improves cold tolerance. HortScience 53 (11), 1610-1617.

Suthar, R.G., C. Wang, M.C.N. Nunes, J. Chen, S.A. Sargent, R.A. Bucklin and B. Gao. 2018. Bamboo biochar pyrolyzed at low temperature improves tomato plant growth and fruit quality. Agriculture 8:153-155.

Toivonen, P.M.A. 2018. 1-MCP before and after processing of fresh-cut produce: from science evidence to technology transfer. Acta Hortic. 1209, 11-18

Toivonen, P.M.A. 2018. Ethical and technical issues for transport, distribution and retail sale of fresh horticultural crops. Acta Hortic. 1194, 1291-1298.

Toivonen, P.M.A., Lu, C., Stoochnoff, J. 2019. Postharvest quality implications of preharvest treatments applied to enhance Ambrosia™ apple red blush colour at harvest. Canadian J. Plant Sci. 99:40-49

Toivonen, P.M.A., Stoochnoff, J., Usher, K., Lu, C., Wiersma, P.A., Zhou, C. 2019. Biochemical and Gene Expression Involved in Red Blush Color Development in ‘Ambrosia’ Apple. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science. 144(3):164–171. 2019.

Tong, C.B.S., Beaudry R.M., Contreras C., Watkins, C., Nock, J., Vickers, Z., Baures, K., Luby, J., Bedford, D. 2019. Postharvest Performance of ‘Minneiska’ apple, a Progeny of ‘Honeycrisp’. J. Amer. Pomol. Soc. 73:82-94 

Tran, D. and R. Beaudry. 2018. Response of CA stored ‘Honeycrisp’ apple on fruit quality to application of DPA and preconditioning. Ha Noi International Postharvest Conference, Nov 5 - 7, 2018, Ha Noi, Vietnam (abstract).

Vinson, E.L. Coneva, E.D., Kemble, J.M., Woods, F.M., Sibley, J.L, Fonsah, E.G., Perkins-Veazie, P. 2018. Prediction of flower emergence and evaluation of cropping potential in selected banana cultivars (Musa sp.) cultivated in subtropical conditions of coastal Alabama. HortScience 53 (11), 1634-1639.

Wong, Kylie, Sharon Motomura, Robert E Paull. 2018. Postharvest Handling and Food Safety – Layers of Protection. Food Safety and Technology Series. FST-66.

Yuan, P., Yang, Poovaiah.  2018. Calcium signaling-mediated plant response to cold stress.  International J. Molecular Sci. 19:3896.

Zhang, Y., Nock, J.F., Al Shoffe, Y., Watkins, C.B. 2019. Non-destructive prediction of soluble solids and dry matter concentrations in eight apple cultivars using portable near-infrared spectroscopy Postharvest Biol. Technol. 151:111-118.

Book Chapters

Brecht, J.K., S.A. Sargent, P.E. Brecht, J. Saenz, and L. Rodowick. 2019. J.K. Brecht (ed.). Protecting Perishable Foods During Transport by Truck or Rail. University of Florida and USDA AMS, Gainesville, Fla., HS1328. 204 p.

Brecht, J. K. 2018. Mango, p. 443-466. In: S. Pareek and S. Tonetto de Freitas (eds.). Physiological Disorders in Fruits and Vegetables. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla.

Garth M. Sanewski, Duane P. Bartholomew and Robert E. Paull, 2018, The Pineapple 2nd Edition Botany, Production and Uses. 336 pages, CABI, United Kingdom

Khatiwada, B. and E. Mitcham.  2018.  Cherry. In: Physiological Disorders in Fruits and Vegetables. CRC Press. 223-236. 

Paull and Ching-Cheng Chen, 2018. Postharvest Physiology, Handling, and Storage of Pineapple. p295- 323. In. Garth M. Sanewski, Duane P. Bartholomew and Robert E. Paull, (Editors), The Pineapple 2nd Edition Botany, Production and Uses. 336 pages, CABI, United Kingdom.  

Uthairatanakij, Apiradee, Pongphen Jitareerat and Robert E. Paull. 2018. Pp 339 - 376. In. Galán Saúco, V. and Ping, L. (eds.), Achieving sustainable cultivation of mangoes, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, UK.

Watkins, C.B., Mattheis, J.P. 2019. Apple. In: Postharvest Physiological Disorders in Fruits and Vegetables. Chapter 8, p165-206. de Freitas,S.T., Pareek, S. (Eds.), CRC Press, ISBN 9781138035508

Extension / Outreach Publications

Brecht, J.K. and S.A. Sargent. 2018. Tips for tuning up packing and cooling facilities. Veg. Spec. Crops Newsletter, 1(9):6-7.

Chang, Y., A. Sarkhosh, J. Brecht, and P. Andersen. 2018. Thinning Florida peaches for larger fruit. HS1324. UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL.

DeEll, J. 2018.  Evaluation of storage regimes for Honeycrisp apples.  Orchard Network 22(1):17-18.

DeEll, J. 2018.  Storage advice for the mystifying Honeycrisp apple.  The Grower 68(5):22.

DeEll, J. 2018.  Timing of Harvista orchard spray influences quality of McIntosh apples.  Orchard Network 22(3):12-13.

DeEll, J. 2019.  Development of internal browning in Gala apples. The Grower 69(5):18.

Kou, J., J. Zhang, T. Zhong, J. K. Brecht, S.A. Sargent, A. Plotto, J. Bai, X. Sun, and M.A. Ritenour.  2019. Control of strawberry postharvest decay caused by Botrytis cinerea and Rhizopus stolonifer using essential oils (carvacrol and thymol). Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 132: (In Press).

Rubio, Z., M.A. Olmstead, and J.K. Brecht. 2018. Impact of nitrogen fertilization on compositional and physical attributes of melting and non-melting flesh peach fruit. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 131:52-57.

Tamashiro, T., S.A. Sargent, and A.D. Berry. 2018. Quality evaluation of strawberry bruised by simulated drop heights. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 131:171-177.

Walsh. 2018.  Weekly extension publications on apple fruit maturity in Penn State Extension Fruit Times.

Presentations:

Brecht, J.K.  (Presenter): “Banana, Mango, Pineapple, Citrus.” Fresh-cut Short Course, Univ. Calif., Davis, 19 September, 2018.

Brecht, J.K.  (Presenter): “Fresh-cut Quality Issues Regarding Cell Integrity, Translucency & Juice Leakage.” Fresh-cut Short Course, Univ. Calif., Davis, 18 September, 2018.

Brecht, J.K.  (Presenter): “Modified Atmospheres: Benefits and Risks to Fresh-cut Produce.” Fresh-cut Short Course, Univ. Calif., Davis, 18 September, 2018.

Brecht, J.K.  (Presenter): “Peach Harvesting and Postharvest Handling Considerations for Different Markets.” Stone Fruit Field Day, Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, May 29, 2018.

Brecht, J.K.  (Presenter): “Postharvest Physiological Disorders of Mango.” Florida State Horticultural Society, Maitland, FL, June 10, 2019.

Brecht, J.K.  (Presenter): “Ripening Mangos and Papayas”. Fruit Ripening & Retail Handling Workshop, Univ. Calif., Davis, 11 April, 2018.

Brecht, J.K.  (Presenter): “Ripening Temperature Management”. Fruit Ripening & Retail Handling Workshop, Univ. Calif., Davis, 10 April, 2018.

Chang, L. (Presenter) and J.K. Brecht. “Variation Among Strawberry Cultivars in Bruising Susceptibility Related to Wound Ethylene Production and Sensitivity.” Florida State Horticultural Society, Maitland, FL, June 10, 2019.

Kou, J. (Presenter), J. Zhang, T. Zhong, J.K. Brecht, S.A. Sargent., A. Plotto, J. Bai, X. Sun, and M.A. Ritenour: “Control of Strawberry Postharvest Decay Caused by Botrytis cinerea and Rhizopus stolonifer Using Essential Oils (Carvacrol and Thymol).” Florida State Horticultural Society, Maitland, FL, June 11, 2019.

Marín, A. (Presenter), E. Baldwin, J. Bai, D. Wood, J.K. Brecht, and A. Plotto: “Edible Coatings as Carriers of Antioxidant Compounds to Maintain Appealing Appearance of Fresh-cut Mango.” Florida State Horticultural Society, Maitland, FL, June 10, 2019.

Sargent, S.A. (Organizer), J.K. Brecht, M.A. Ritenour and J.A. Bartz. Postharvest Quality and Food Safety of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables. Tabletop examples and materials demonstrating postharvest disorders, diseases and food safety training opportunities. AgExpo. Nov. 7, 2018. Wimauma, FL.

Sargent, S.A. (Presenter): “How Novel Research in Postharvest Biology and Technology will Contribute to Reducing Food Losses.” 2019. XVII Brazilian Congress of Plant Physiology: June 12, 2019. Cuiabá, Brazil.

Sargent, S.A. and K.R. Schneider (Co-organizers) 2018 Florida Tomato Food Safety Workshop. September 4, 2018. Naples, FL.

Shahzad, F. (Presenter), Jeffrey K. Brecht, F. Gmitter, Y. Wang, M.A. Ritenour, and T. Vashisth: “Role of Pre-harvest Nutrition on Postharvest Quality of HLB-affected Mandarins.” Florida State Horticultural Society, Maitland, FL, June 10, 2019.

Zhang, J. (Presenter), J. Kou, T. Zhong, J.K. Brecht, S.A. Sargent, A. Plotto, J. Bai, X. Sun, and M.A. Ritenour: “A Slow-Release Chlorine Dioxide Gas Treatment Can Reduce Postharvest Decay of Fresh Strawberries.” Florida State Horticultural Society, Maitland, FL, June 11, 2019.

Zhong, T. (Presenter), J. Zhang, J. Kou, X. Sun, J. Bai, J. Brecht, S. Surgent, A. Plotto, and M. Ritenour: “The Effect of Chlorine Dioxide (ClO₂) Gas on Reducing Postharvest Decay Caused by Rhizopus stolonifera in Strawberries.” Florida State Horticultural Society, Maitland, FL, June 10, 2019.

External Funding Received

Sargent, S.A. and K.R. Schneider (Co-organizers) 2018 Florida Tomato Food Safety Workshop. September 4, 2018. Naples, FL.

Sargent, S.A. (Organizer), J.K. Brecht, M.A. Ritenour and J.A. Bartz. Postharvest Quality and Food Safety of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables. Tabletop examples and materials demonstrating postharvest disorders, diseases and food safety training opportunities. AgExpo. Nov. 7, 2018. Wimauma, FL.