WSU Tree Fruit

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Recommended Harvest Criteria for Commercial WA-38 Storage in 2023

Prepared in August 2023. This document is reviewed and updated on an annual basis. by Ines Hanrahan, WTFRC, Carolina Torres, WSU

(Fruit destined for fruit stand sales: refer to PVM for the Farmgate Standards.)

General harvest criteria and procedures for all fruit

    • To qualify for packing, 90% of fruit in a lot must have reached a starch clearance of 5.0. Fruit picked at 2.0 starch clearance will take an average of six weeks in RA storage to reach the required clearance. (Example: Oct. 4 pick date + 6 weeks storage = Nov 20)
    • Fruit harvested below 2.0 starch clearing will not develop good flavor.
    • Fruit harvested at or above starch clearance of 3.5 may result in lower yields and/or packouts due to increased stem bowl cracking, bird damage, and development of fruit greasiness in the orchard and/or in storage.

Use this guide in addition to the published marketing and quality standards for the 2023 crop year. First ship date for fruit produced in the 2023 crop year: November 20, 2023.


Young orchards (2 and 3- year old trees)


Mature orchards (4 year old trees and older)


Storage and Packing

  Storage Duration Starch Index 1-MCP recommended Background Color Additional Recommendations
RA 4 months 2-4.5 No breaking Refrigerated Air (RA): 32-34°F, >90% relative humidity (RH)
Short CA 4 months 2-4.5 No breaking Controlled Atmosphere (CA): 33°F, 1% CO2, 2% O2
Mid CA 4-6 months 2-3.5 No breaking Controlled Atmosphere (CA): 33°F, 1% CO2, 2% O2
Long CA 6-12 months 2-3.5 Yes breaking Mature orchards only (year 4 after planting or older): 1-MCP application may reduce greasiness for fruit harvested at advanced maturity (3.5-4.5)


 

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