Effect of Precooling Methods and Peduncle Lengths on Soft Rot Decay of Bell Peppers1
in HortScienceAbstract
Thorough precooling of bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L. cv. California Wonder) to 10°C (50°F) soon after harvest delayed, but did not prevent, soft rot decay caused by Erwinia carotovora (L. R. Jones) Holland. There was little weight loss and shrivel in any of the treatments. Inoculated peppers with intact or partial peduncles had better overall visual quality and were less decayed than peppers with no peduncles.
Contributor Notes
Received for publication on Sept. 17, 1981. Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No. 3244.
This work was done while R. F. Kasmire was Visiting Professor with the Vegetable Crops Department, IFAS, University of Florida, Gainesville. The cooperation of South Bay Growers, Inc., in providing personnel, materials, and facilities for this study is gratefully acknowledged. The authors also thank J. R. Bartz for providing the inoculum and R. K. Showaiter for his helpful comments about this study.
