The influence of harvest season and cultivar type on several quality traits and quality stability of three commercial sweet bell peppers during the harvest period

Quality stability of three main commercial sweet bell pepper cultivars grown in Israel, that differ in colour (Parker [red], Nibla [yellow] and Lyon [orange]), was evaluated during the harvest season by analyzing selected quality traits after three weeks storage and marketing simulation. After prolonged storage and marketing simulation, 'Parker' generally maintained the best quality throughout the harvest season (four months), compared to 'Nibla' and 'Lyon', as shown by most of the quality traits evalauted. 'Lyon' had the poorest quality attributes. Weight loss, firmness and decay incidence were the major factors that reduced general appearance in bell pepper after prolonged storage and shelf life, particularly in cv. Lyon. 'Parker', with a relatively high amount of cuticular wax remained firmer than 'Nibla' and 'Lyon', and had relatively low decay incidence. Cultivar type and harvest date significantly influenced general fruit appearance, weight loss, firmness and decay incidence. There were significant interactions between harvest time and cultivar type in general appearance, decay incidence and fruit firmness. No interactions were found between harvest season and cultivar type with skin wax content, total soluble solids and dry matter contents. Very high correlations (p<0.001) were found between weight loss and fruit firmness and skin wax. Strong correlations (p<0.01) were found between general appearance and weight loss and firmness, and between fruit firmness and the skin wax content The external and internal quality traits evaluated in the present study could be used as tools for the development of high quality sweet pepper with a long and stable storage and marketing period during harvest season.