Predicting Firmness Changes of ‘Rome’ Apples in Refrigerated Storage

Abstract The softening rates of ‘Rome’ apples ( Malus domestica Borkh.) from 10 West Virginia orchards stored at two temperatures were compared in 1974, 1976, and 1978. The rate of softening at 20°C declined with time after harvest, and delaying harvest reduced the rate of softening at 20° but had little effect on softening at 0°. Site had little effect on rate of softening. In two of the three years, the rate of softening at 0° was found to be correlated with firmness at harvest and softening at 20°. Regression analysis provided formulas that can be used to predict softening rate in refrigerated air storage at 0° from firmness data at harvest.