Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/769560
16 JANUARY 15, 2017 Good Fruit Grower www.goodfruit.com W arehouses employ a variety of strate- gies to prevent superficial scald from spoiling apples during storage, but, in most cases, the only sign that those techniques aren't working is the appearance of scald itself when fruit is removed from storage for distribution. By then, it's too late to save the fruit — often high-risk Granny Smith apples. But a new diagnostic tool that iden- tifies scald signals months before the disorder becomes visible could help packers better manage their storage conditions to prevent it. That's the idea behind a tool being tested for industry use at the USDA Agricultural Research Service Tree Fruit Research Laboratory in Wenatchee, Washington. The test uses small samples from the peel of apples to see if compounds associated with the development Seeing the scald before it happens Postharvest Biomarker discovery could be used by warehouses to detect early warning signs. by Kate Prengaman Samples have been taken from Granny Smith apple peels to test Research Laboratory in Wenatchee, Washington. SUPERIOR FRUIT EQUIPMENT Call or email for your nearest dealer Phone 509-662-6065 : sales@sfequip.com Web : www.sfequip.com Wenatchee, WA USA PROFESSIONAL PRUNING TOOLS Manufactured / Distributed by Superior Fruit Equipment Manzana Clippers Anvil Loppers pacaglab.com ◆ 503.626.7943 • Leaders in the Analysis of Water, Soil and Plant Tissue • Maximum Residue Level (MRL) Analysis, both Domestic and International • Custom MRL Fruit Profile for Tree Fruits, Berries, and Grapes. Fruit Profile is Designed for Global GAP/audit or Sales Samples. • Comprehensive Pesticides Profile that Covers over 250 Compounds in Fruits and Other Agricultural Commodities. • National Organics Profile for Certified Organic Growers and Processors • ISO 17025 Accredited, PJLA Accreditation #64422 • Come Visit Us at the 2016 Northwest Hort Expo in Wenatchee, Booth 212 Pacific Agricultural Laboratory Specialists in Pesticides Residue Analysis Since 1995