VIEW ARTICLE

Effect of Acetaldehyde Vapor on Postharvest Decay and Market Quality of Fresh Strawberries. Krishna Prasad, Research Associate, Postharvest Physiology, Department of Horticulture, University of Maryland, College Park 20742; Glenn J. Stadelbacher, Associate Professor, Department of Horticulture, University of Maryland, College Park 20742 Phytopathology 64:948-951. Accepted for publication 8 March 1974. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-64-948.

Decay of fresh strawberries, caused by Botrytis cinerea or Rhizopus stolonifer, was controlled by fumigation with acetaldehyde vapor. Treatments with 1% concns (v/v) for 30 or 60 min were as effective as those with 4% and greater concns. Acetaldehyde vapor at these concns killed conidia of B. cinerea and R. stolonifer. Treatments with 1% acetaldehyde for 30 or 60 min did not affect quality of the fumigated berries.