ABSTRACTThe effect on peach Prunus persica(L) Batsch. firmness during storage was investigated for the following tree irrigation schedules: no irrigation, irrigation beginning at budbreak until October, and irrigation beginning at stage III of fruit growth until October. Peaches (cv ‘Cresthaven’) from the three tree irrigation schedules were harvested at two ripeness stages and were stored at 2C, 90 RH. After 3, 6, 9, 13, and 16 days of storage, peach firmness was tested by a modified Effegi flesh probe test and drop impact test. From the flesh probe test, the bioyield force, maximum force, and elastic modulus were measured and from the drop impact test, the contact time, peak force/time‐to‐peak force, and percentage of energy absorbed were measured. None of these parameters were significantly affected by the tree irrigation schedules. Riper peaches were softer during the whole storage period. Less ripe peaches had more variation in firmness parameters during storage. The average firmness of peaches changed only slightly during the first nine days of storage, then softened quickly the
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