NYANJAGE M. O., NYALALA S. P. O., ILLA A. O., MUGO B. W., LIMBE A. E., VULIMU, E. M.
Abstract
The post-harvest performance of sweet pepper 'California Wonder' was tested under three different packages (open trays, non-perforated and perforated polyethylene bags) stored at temperatures of 4 C, 6.5 C and ambient (17 C) for 25 days. Data on weight loss, skin green colour retention, incidences of chilling injury and diseases were collected and subjected to statistical analysis. Fruit weight loss was significantly lowest at storage temperatures of 4 C and 6.5 C and non-perforated packaging. Skin green colour retention was significantly highest on fruits held at 4 C and 6.5 C on day 5 and at 6.5 C on days 10 to 25 compared to ambient storage. However, packaging did not significantly affect colour retention. The interaction of 6.5 C and non-perforated packaging had significantly (p<0.05) highest level of green colour retention throughout the storage period. Storage temperature did not significantly affect the incidence of diseases in sweet pepper, whereas, non-perforated packaging had significantly (p<0.05) highest incidence of disease. The interaction of storage at 4 C and non-perforated packaging had significantly (p<0.05) highest incidence of diseases. Interactions between non-perforated packaging and storage temperatures of 4 C and 6.5 C showed significantly (p<0.05) higher incidences of diseases after exposure to ambient conditions for 2 days. Temperature was the major factor in determining the post-harvest performance of sweet pepper. However, the interaction of storage at 6.5 C and perforated polythene packaging produced the best results.
Key words:
Sweet pepper, post-harvest, storage temperature, modified atmosphere packaging, weight loss, skin colour, diseases, chilling injury.