Effect of Cooling Delay at Harvest on Broccoli Quality During Postharvest Storage

Broccoli (cv ‘Green Duke’) was grown, harvested and cooled prior to simulated handling and storage. Delays of cooling were 0.5 and 3.0 h in one experiment and 0.5, 1 and 2 h in a subsequent experiment. Significant losses in market life of fresh broccoli were noted within the 3 h cooling delay period. Floret opening was the limiting visual quality characteristic in most treatments. Turgor was more limiting than color in all observed treatments. Using a systems approach a vertically‐integrated broccoli handler could project the effects of cooling delays on shelf‐life expectations within the prescribed handling system.