PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Dr Mariana Jooste
LEAD INSTITUTION: Stellenbosch University
BENEFICIARY: Stone Fruit
Since it is not known why nectarines packed in plastic still arrives overseas with high shrivel percentages, this project will provide information on:
- The reasons for moisture loss between harvest and packing, and
- Where in the handling chain the risk for moisture loss is the highest.
This will greatly aid in better recommendations to be made regarding:
- The best handling practices for nectarines between pick and pack, and
- The best internal packaging to use to reduce moisture loss from the fruit.
Easy-to-use preharvest technologies and knowledge will also be created to assist plant breeders to decide on cultivars to scrap/release based on their moisture loss tendencies.
The use of K2SO3Si applications may reduce moisture loss and split stones in nectarine cultivars currently grown in South Africa.
