Impact of shorter picking intervals on the storability and postharvest quality of rabbiteye blueberries cv. ‘Brightwell’
Amit Godara, Zilfina Rubio Ames, Angelos Deltsidis

TL;DR
Shorter picking intervals improve the postharvest quality and storability of rabbiteye blueberries for fresh market use.
Contribution
This study identifies optimal picking intervals for maintaining postharvest quality in rabbiteye blueberries under warm and humid conditions.
Findings
A 3-day picking interval maintained higher firmness, reduced weight loss, and minimized berry damage.
A 7-day picking interval increased anthocyanin content and total soluble solids but reduced firmness, making it better for processing.
Frequent harvesting (2- or 3-day intervals) is more suitable for fresh market blueberries than a 7-day interval.
Abstract
The quality and shelf-life of fresh-market blueberries are crucial aspects for both growers and consumers. Different picking intervals could be affecting these factors, and understanding changes associated with these issues is essential to optimize postharvest fruit performance. This study evaluated the impacts of different picking intervals on the postharvest quality and storability of rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium virgatum) cv. ‘Brightwell’ in Georgia, USA, during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Harvesting was carried out at intervals of two days (Trt A), three days (Trt B), and seven days (Trt C), with three harvests per treatment. The main quality parameters assessed included berry damage (%), berry diameter, weight loss, firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and total anthocyanin concentration, measured over 21 days of storage at 1 °C and 85% relative humidity. Results…
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Taxonomy
TopicsPostharvest Quality and Shelf Life Management · Berry genetics and cultivation research · Flowering Plant Growth and Cultivation
