The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of ripening stages, temperature and modification of atmosphere during storage on the respiratory rate of some cultivars of apple, persimmon, kiwi and peaches, as well as the relation between respiration rate and storage potential. Evaluated treatments were two ripening stages (mature-green and tree-ripe), three temperatures (0, 10 and 20ºC) and two storage conditions (cold storage and modified atmosphere). The cultivars Gala and Fuji, of apple, Fuyu, Giombo, Rama Forte, Taubaté and Coração de Boi, of persimmon, Bruno and Hayward, of kiwi, Eldorado, Jubileu and Maciel, of peaches were evaluated. 'Gala' apples, stored at 0ºC, and 'Fuji' apples, at 0 and 10ºC, did not show a climateric respiratory rise. Temperature had a strong effect on the respiration; the increment in respiratory rate, by increasing of temperature, varied according to species and temperature. The modification of atmosphere, on average, reduced the respiratory rate in 14.3%, at 0°C. The respiratory rate is influenced by cultivar, temperature of storage and atmosphere modification.
storage; postharvest; modified atmosphere
