143 COLOR AND QUALITY OF `DELICIOUS' APPLES BY DELAYED HARVEST DATE AND CONTROLLED-ATMOSPHERE STORAGE
Red color of 2 strains (`Bisbee' and `Red Chief) of `Delicious' apples was increased (25%) by a 10 day delay beyond recommended harvest date. Color of `Oregon Spur' did not change during this 10 day period. Soluble solids content and size were also increased, but firmness decreased by 12%. In 2 of 3 years, firmness at harvest was 73 N or greater in all strains and these fruit lost little firmness during 9 months of CA. Poor firmness (<63 N) at harvest resulted in fruit with unacceptable firmness (53 N) after storage regardless of harvest time or strain. Loss in fruit quality was evident after a 5 day delay in atmosphere establishment with no further loss after a 10 day delay. `Oregon Spur' had the best color regardless of harvest, followed by `Bisbee' and `Red Chief. All strains (`Oregon Spur', `Bisbee' and `Red Chief) had good quality after long term CA. Sensory panelists could not distinguish flavor differences between strains, harvest dates or delay in storage establishment.