Beware of Apple Flesh Browning!

CIPRA is a computer-based program used to predict disease and pests of several horticultural crops, based on weather data. The program was developed by the research team of Dr. Gaétan Bourgeois, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec. More recently, CIPRA has been expanded to predict the risk susceptibility of apples to certain storage disorders (Bourgeois, DeEll, and Plouffe).

A risk model was developed for low-temperature disorders using CIPRA, based on weather data observed during July and August.

The figure below (created by D. Plouffe, AAFC - Québec) shows the results from 1988 to 2008 using weather data from the Simcoe-Delhi area in Ontario. The model indicates that there is a 58% risk of low temperature disorders (a.k.a. flesh browning) developing during storage this year. This is the third highest risk index during the 30 years noted and it is primarily due to colder than normal temperatures in August and higher than average rainfall during the summer.

As such, it would be wise to watch your apples closely this year. Take samples from storage whenever possible and check for flesh browning. In addition, be sure to use the recommended storage temperatures for all cultivars. 'Empire', 'McIntosh', and 'Honeycrisp' will be especially susceptible.

Link to data equivalent chart

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