Photosynthetica 2000, 38(4):571-579 | DOI: 10.1023/A:1012413524395

Postharvest Imaging of Chlorophyll Fluorescence from Lemons Can Be Used to Predict Fruit Quality

L. Nedbal1,2, J. Soukupová1,3, J. Whitmarsh4,5, M. Trtílek5
1 Laboratory of Applied Photobiology & Bio-Imaging, Institute of Landscape Ecology, Academy of Science of the Czech Republic, Nové Hrady, Czech Republic
2 Photosynthesis Research Center, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
3 Photosynthesis Research Center, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
4 Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, USA
5 Photosynthesis Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service/USDA, Urbana, USA

We demonstrate the feasibility of assaying and predicting post-harvest damage in lemons by monitoring chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence. Fruit quality was assayed using a commercial instrument that determines photosynthetic performance by imaging Chl fluorescence parameters under different irradiances. Images of Chl fluorescence from individual lemons reveal that photosynthesis is active throughout the post-harvest ripening process. Because photosynthesis is highly sensitive to biotic and abiotic stress, variations in Chl fluorescence parameters over the surface of a lemon fruit can be used to predict areas that will eventually exhibit visible damage. The technique is able to distinguish between mould-infected areas that eventually spread over the surface of the fruit, and damaged areas that do not increase in size during ripening. This study demonstrates the potential for using rapid imaging of Chl fluorescence in post-harvest fruit to develop an automated device that can identify and remove poor quality fruit long before visible damage appears.

Additional key words: Citrus limon; mould; Penicillium digitatum

Prepublished online: August 1, 2000; Published: November 1, 2000  Show citation

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Nedbal, L., Soukupová, J., Whitmarsh, J., & Trtílek, M. (2000). Postharvest Imaging of Chlorophyll Fluorescence from Lemons Can Be Used to Predict Fruit Quality. Photosynthetica, 38(4), 571-579. doi: 10.1023/A:1012413524395
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