Produce condition after holding at a range of storage temperatures

The effect of a range of storage temperatures on produce condition was studied. Two or three cultivars or peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots, strawberries, grapes, pears, peppers, one cultivar of blackberries, tomatoes, and cabbages were chosen for the experiment. The storage temperatures (21°C, 15°C, 10°C, 4°C, 0°C) and humidity (about 80% RH) were maintained during the experiment. Observations were made on weight loss, total loss, disease, appearance and visual storage life. Percent weight loss among cultivars was not significantly different (5% level) for most of the produce (two-way factorial arrangement), but date of harvest resulted in a significant difference in percent weight loss of peppers. The range of percent weight loss varied, depending on the type of the produce. Berries lost moisture faster than other fruits. Rate of moisture loss decreased as storage time increased. Beginning at 4°C, for every 5°C rise of temperature, percent weight loss roughly doubled for most of the produce. Total loss in this study was mostly caused by physiological disorders related to ripening and aging in the long storage period and decay caused by fungi on produce stored at high temperatures. The length of storage life was ascertained for cultivars studied.