The use of reflective tarps at harvest to improve postharvest quality of blueberries

Abstract

Effects of covering blueberries with reflective tarps to protect the fruit from exposure to the sun after picking were assessed. Quality was evaluated after 7 d storage at 1%C as well as after two additional days holding at 13%C. Covering fruit with reflective tarps resulted in significant improvement in quality. Improved quality of the blueberries was attributed to the lower fruit pulp temperatures and higher humidity in the airspace surrounding the tarp-covered fruit.