The Controlled Atmosphere (CA) Clinic is organized by the Department of Horticulture at Michigan State every other year to pass on new information relating to controlled atmosphere storage and warehousing of apple and other temperate fruit. The CA Clinic serves to facilitate communication between researchers, industry spokespersons, technical experts and packinghouse and storage operators. Attendees should expect to be brought up-to-date on the most recent scientific findings and related practical developments in the field of CA and refrigerated storage. 

We are fortunate this year to feature Dr. Jennifer DeEll, the nation’s leading expert on the storage of Honeycrisp apples. Her presentations will be especially appropriate given that storage strategies for the Honeycrisp apple are so urgently needed. In the Great Lakes Region, production of Honeycrisp has grown so markedly that storage for extended periods will likely be needed in the coming seasons. Importantly, an adequate storage strategy for Honeycrisp has been difficult to come by, sensitivities to low temperature and typical storage atmospheres have made this an extremely challenging fruit to store. Dr. DeEll will also update us on field applications of Smartfresh (1-MCP) using the newest spray technology called Harvista.

Additional topics to be covered by expert speakers include:

· A comparison of CA strategies from around the world

· 1-MCP application alternatives and considerations

· Storage prospects for other new apple varieties

· An update on long-term Empire storage

· Postharvest decay control options from Decco

· Reducing storage costs by managed refrigeration demand.

Questions?

Sandy Allen
Phone: 517/355-5191 x 1339
Email: allens@msu.edu
 

Randy Beaudry
Phone:  517/353-5191 x 1303
Email: beaudry@msu.edu