What is limiting quality of long-term storage of apples in Tasmania?

December 2022 | Sophie Folder, Pear Consulting, and Jonathan Brookes, AgFirst | Future Orchards® Tasmanian ACOG final report

This monitoring trial followed fruit from nine orchard blocks across four northern Tasmanian orchards through the 2021-22 season and into long-term storage. Each grower selected a Gala block plus a Jazz™, Ambrosia™ or Kanzi® block. A sample of 100 fruit per block was stored until November 2022 and then assessed after a short ambient period to simulate retail conditions.

The trial identified four important limitations to late-season fruit quality: loss of firmness and poor texture, particularly in Gala; lenticel spot and blotch in Kanzi and Jazz; storage rots in Gala; and russeting in Gala. Mechanical damage and stem punctures were also recorded in several blocks.

Fruit maturity, Brix, dry matter, crop load, nutrient inputs and fruit nutrient analysis were considered alongside the post-storage assessments. The study found meaningful differences between blocks of the same variety, reinforcing that storage performance is influenced by orchard and harvest management as well as variety.

The report recommends closer attention to optimum harvest maturity, pre-harvest disease management, careful picking and handling, temperature management and the known risk factors for lenticel disorders and russet. It also identifies areas where further Tasmanian work would be valuable.