Research

Quality Management

    Quality management refers to maintaining quality throughout the logistical chain to the end consumer.  With reference to stone fruit, shrivel due to moisture loss is the main postharvest defect and therefore the key research focus area.  Managing shrivel in future will require a multi-pronged approach in light of the pressure on plastic packaging.  One approach being considered would be closing the vent holes of containers. This would increase the relative humidity within the container but will also result in the accumulation of carbon dioxide. Handré Viljoen of ExperiCo is evaluating plum cultivars for their ability to withstand high carbon dioxide levels. His preliminary results are very promising and the next phase of the project will entail the simulated shipping of fruit in containers with closed vents.

    Expertise: Quality management workgroup

    Research team

    • Dr Mariana Jooste
    • Dr Anél Botes
    • Mr Daniël Viljoen
    • Mr M Addison
    • Dr Elke Crouch
    • Mr Jason Ladegourdie
    • Mr Marnes Gouws
    • Mr Handré Viljoen
    • Ms Heleen Tayler
    • Dr Zinash Belay
    • Dr Stephanie Midgley
    • Ms Feroza October

    Projects list

    POME FRUIT PROJECTS
    • Assessment of apple starch concentration and rate of conversion during maturation at different canopy positions and the effect there of on post storage quality (D Viljoen)
    • Assessment of air temperature at time of harvest on scuff mark susceptibility of early-optimum ‘Cape Rose’ pears (J Ladegourdie)
    • Digital twin for the Hortgro phytosanitary facility (M Addison)
    • Assessment of the use of the DA meter to increase the rigour of fruit sampling for release date determination in strip-picked orchards and to generate additional information for packhouses on the maturity of select pick fruit (M Gouws)
    • The use of edible coatings as a viable replacement for plastic liners to maintain pome fruit quality (H Tayler)
    • Moisture loss studies in pears (A Botes and E Crouch)
    • The effect of a water deficit on fruit tree phenology, fruit production, fruit quality and storability of Fuji and Cripps' Pink apples (D Viljoen) - see Irrigation and Nutrition
    • Integrated post-harvest ethylene management along the value chain. (Z Belay) [Abstract]
    • The effect of relative humidity during cold storage on water loss and lenticel damage incidence of apples. (D Viljoen) [Abstract]
    • Development of a simple replacement for standard industry colour charts for Pome fruit using the NIX colour sensor. (J Ladegourdie) [Abstract]
    • Sensitivity of various apple rootstocks to water stress (S Midgley and L Muchena) - see Rootstocks and nursery tree quality
    • An impact study of the sulphur dioxide usage within the South African dried fruit industry (F October) – See Storage techniques
    • The impact of relative humidity in commercial cold rooms during accumulation of pallets for shipping on shrivel with plums (H Viljoen)
    • Quantifying the effect of bag perforations on forced-air cooling cycles and post storage quality of apples. (D Viljoen) [Abstract]
    • The effect of DPA on fruit quality in pome fruit. (A Botes) [Abstract]
    • The use of HarvistaTM (pre-harvest 1-MCP) application to control superficial scald on Packham’s Triumph pears. (D Viljoen) [Abstract]
    • To develop marketing protocols for FEMA-designated orchards that are harvested two to three weeks after normal release but do not qualify for FEMA release. (D Viljoen) [Abstract]
    • Thermal and non-thermal treatments of stone and pome fruit: Towards efficient phytosanitary measures. (O Caleb, Z Belay and N Nyamende) - see Pre- and post-harvest pathology [Abstract]
    • Revision of FEMA release standards when fruit do not make FEMA firmness or sugar criteria. (D Viljoen) [Abstract]
    • The use of Harvista (pre-harvest 1-MCP) application to prevent green colour loss and reduce blush of Granny Smith apples (D Viljoen) [Abstract]
    • To assess the minimum acceptable malic acid equivalents level for Forelle pear destined for the FEMA programme (D Viljoen) [Abstract]
    • Evaluation of logistic alternatives in container transport of apples and pears (A Tsige) [Abstract]
    • Quantifying the role of vapour pressure deficit in the development of lenticel breakdown in Braeburn apples (D Viljoen) [Abstract]
    STONE FRUITS PROJECTS
    • Scanning plum cultivars for CO2 sensitivity and the effect of closed vents in shipping containers on relative humidity and CO2 levels (H Viljoen)
    • The impact of relative humidity in commercial cold rooms during accumulation of pallets for shipping on shrivel with plums. (H Viljoen) [Abstract]
    • Develop optimum ripening protocols for nectarines and plums arriving too green (skin colour) or too firm in market. (H Viljoen) [Abstract]
    • Identify and test improved packaging as well as humidity control in cold stores to reduce moisture loss and shrivel in nectarines. (H Viljoen) [Abstract]
    • Identify and test improved packaging as well as humidity control in cold stores to reduce moisture loss and shrivel in plums. (H Viljoen) [Abstract]
    • Postharvest moisture loss studies in Japanese plums (Prunus salicina Lindl). (E Lötze and I Kritzinger) [Abstract]
    • Determine the CO2 sensitivity of the four main plum cultivars. (A de Kock) [Abstract]
    • Evaluation of micro-perforated LDPE bags for reduction of postharvest moisture loss and shrivelling in Japanese plums (E Lötze)*
    • Peel water vapour permeance of Japanese plums as indicator of susceptibility to postharvest shriveling (I Kritzinger)*
    • Application of post-harvest edible coatings to alleviate shrivel in plums and nectarines. (O Fawole and S Riva) [Abstract]
    • Evaluation of the 8 mm penetrometer plunger to determine harvest maturity on plums. (H Viljoen) [Abstract]
    • Preharvest and postharvest applications of edible coatings to alleviate shrivel and maintain quality in stone fruit. (O Fawole) – Also Packaging / Logistics [Abstract]
    • Thermal and non-thermal treatments of stone and pome fruit: Towards efficient phytosanitary measures. (O Caleb, Z Belay and N Nyamende) - see Pre- and post-harvest pathology [Abstract]
    • Effect of irradiation as a mitigation treatment on storage quality of early peaches and nectarines for airfreight consignments (H Viljoen) [Abstract]
    • Technology testing for the ability to control shrivel in cold-stored plums and nectarines (H Viljoen) [Abstract]
    • Profiling sugar metabolism and accumulation in plums as related to maturity, cultivar difference and postharvest storage regimes (O Fawole and T Majoni) [Abstract]
    • Application of postharvest edible coatings to alleviate shrivel in plums and nectarines (O Fawole and S Riva) [Abstract]
    • Hortgro Pome Fruit Research Showcase – 6 June 2023
    • Hortgro Stone Fruit Research Showcase – 7 June 2023
    • Hortgro Postharvest Symposium – 8 June 2023
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