Postharvest imaging of chlorophyll fluorescence from lemons can be used to predict fruit quality

0170545 - UEK-B 20013004 RIV CZ eng J - Journal Article
Nedbal, Ladislav - Soukupová, Julie - Writmarsh, J. - Trtílek, M.
Postharvest imaging of chlorophyll fluorescence from lemons can be used to predict fruit quality.
Photosynthetica. Roč. 38, č. 4 (2000), s. 571-579. ISSN 0300-3604. E-ISSN 1573-9058
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z6087904
Keywords : Citrus lemon * mould * Penicillium digitatum
Subject RIV: BO - Biophysics
Impact factor: 0.482, year: 2000

We demonstrate the feasibility of assaying and predicting post-harvest damage in lemons by monitoring chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence. Fruit quality was assayed using a commercial instrument that determines photosynthetic performance by imaging Chi fluorescence parameters under different irradiances. Images of Chi fluorescence from individual lemons reveal that photosynthesis is active throughout the post-harvest ripening process. Because photosynthesis is highly sensitive to biotic and abiotic stress, variations in Chi fluorescence parameters over the surface of a lemon fruit can be used to predict areas that will eventually exhibit visible damage. The technique is able to distinguish between mould-infected areas that eventually spread over the surface of the fruit, and damaged areas that do not increase in size during ripening.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0067629