Kiwifruit source
’Hayward’ kiwifruit grown commercially
in the Visalia area, were harvested
at a late maturity (Nov. 11,
1996) into 18-inch-high plastic bins
and immediately sized, graded and
stored. Only small kiwifruit (5 81
grams) were commercially bin-stored
in air after a light brushing, sorting
and grading. At the same time, kiwifruit
samples of different sizes from
the same lot were collected directly
from the packingline after packaging
(brushing, grading, sorting) and immediately
transported to the F. Gordon
Mitchell Postharvest Laboratory
at the Kearney Agricultural Center in
Parlier for the controlled-atmosphere
(CA) experiment. Fruit quality evaluations
included measurements of
soluble solids concentration (SSC),
acidity, firmness, water loss, decay
and bruising. At harvest, kiwifruit had
approximately 12.0 lbf (measured with
an 8-mm penetrometer tip), 11% SSC
and 1.9% titratable acidity (TA).