temperature as accurately as he possibly can. A highly reliable, 

 calibrated thermometer is the minimum gauge. Thermocouples that 

 are now readily available are quite desirable for monitoring tem- 

 perature. 



The most beneficial COo level in a CA atmosphere is being re- 

 evaluated (See the accompanying article.). However, at present, 

 we still recommend 3% Oy with 5% CO2 for "soft" rooms, and 3% O7 

 with 31 COt fo^ "hard" rooms. Recent results do suggest that CD2 

 need not be kept low at the beginning of CA, however. Therefore, 

 we recommend a rapid "pull-down" of Oo to 3^ without concern for 

 the CO2 level, which can be adjusted later. It appears that some 

 growers have been placing excessive amounts of lime in CA rooms, so 

 that CO2 never reaches 51. If the CO2 remains low during storage, 

 much of the CA effect will not occur. Based on recent observations, 

 the practice of putting lime in the CA room seems debatable unless 

 the scrubbing system is simply inadequate. 



The proper humidity for storage is also being re-evaluated. 

 It is clear that a relative humidity very near 100% can increase 

 breakdown problems. However, storages are more likely to have too 

 low a humidity than too high a humidity, since humidity is hard to 

 maintain in many storages. Storage operators are encouraged to do 

 everything possible to maintain a high relative humidity as this 

 question is looked at more closely. 



Careful observations and record keeping do not end with attain- 

 ment of the CA condition. Atmosphere and temperature should be 

 monitored and recorded daily . If the O2 falls below 31, it should 

 be brought back up immediately. Storage conditions should be watched 

 closely and recorded. (The gas analyzer, the aspirator bulb, and 

 all sample lines should have been carefully checked before sealing, 

 and any indication of malfunction during storage should be checked- 

 out immediately. Porous aspirator bulbs which result in higher O2 

 readings than actually exist in the room, have been responsible for 

 severe low O2 injury to fruit.) It is well to sample fruit period- 

 ically during the storage season. (See: "The Soft Mcintosh Prob- 

 lem" Fruit Notes , Sept. -Oct. 1974:pp. 1-4.) 



Successful storage operation requires attention to details, 

 from the beginning of harvest to the sale of the last apples. Any 

 mistake or oversight can be disastrous, especially with the trend 

 to longer storage periods: the longer apples are kept, the more 

 important are the details. The successful operator should recog- 

 nize a problem as it develops, and adjust his marketing practices 

 accordingly. For example, if cooling in some fruits has been inad- 

 equate, these fruits should be disposed of as quickly as is feasible. 

 Long term storage should be attempted only with apples that have 

 "everything going for them." Long-term CA does not correct mistakes; 

 it only underlines them. 



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