ik Ne FEM CORE LIST COMPATIBILITY OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES DURING TRANSPORT IN MIXED LOADS Marketing Research Report No. 1070 Agricultural Research Service UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Historic, archived document Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. This publication replaces and revises ARS 51-48, “Compatibility of Fruits and Vegetables During Transport in Mixed Loads,” issued September 1972. Washington, D.C. Issued May 1977 \ COMPATIBILITY OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES DURING TRANSPORT IN MIXED LOADS , | I By WERNER J. LIPTON, plant physiologist; and JOHN M.\Harvey, plant pathologist — INTRODUCTION Shippers or receivers of fresh fruits and veg- etables frequently prefer to handle shipments that consist of more than one commodity, the so-called mixers. In mixed loads, it is important to combine only those commodities that are compatible with respect to their requirements for (1) temperature, (2) modified atmosphere, (3) relative humidity, and (4) protection from odors or (5) from physiologically active gases, such as ethylene. To facilitate the choice of com- patible crops and to help avoid shipments of undesirable combinations, we have prepared the ensuing compatibility tables in which about 85 crops are placed into nine compatibility groups. All factors enumerated above were considered in the groupings. Compatible commodities are those that can be shipped together without adverse effects on any one of them during the usual maximum transit period for the most perishable commodity in the load. Compatibility does not imply that crops in the same group now normally are, or likely will be, shipped together, but merely that they may be shipped together if circumstances demand it. * Market Quality and Transportation Research Labo- ratory, ARS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 8148, Fresno, Calif. 93727. The authors acknowledge the advice of R. E. Harden- burg, ARS, Beltsville, Md., and J. J. Smoot, ARS, Orlando, Fla., regarding holding temperatures for sev- eral commodities reported on in this publication. Grouping of the various commodities is based on evidence drawn from material published for individual crops and on our experience. Adverse effects of mixing incompatible or marginally compatible commodities would be greater when the transit period is longer. Thus, greater caution would have to be exercised for surface shipments overseas than for normal transcon- tinental shipments. In contrast, limitations on compatibility generally can be ignored during wholesale distribution requiring 1 day or less. During this period, temperatures should be adjusted to satisfy the needs of the most per- ishable item in the load, with due regard to chilling sensitivity of some commodities. The Recommended Transit Conditions given for each group may differ from the optimum temperatures and humidities for individual members of a group. However, within the limi- tations given in the previous paragraphs, the Recommended Conditions represent a satisfac- tory compromise. For optimum conditions for solid loads or for extended storage, consult one of the following references: e The Commercial Storage of Fruits, Vege- tables, and Florist and Nursery Stocks. U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Handbook 66. e Protecting Perishable Foods During Transport by Motortruck. U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Handbook 105. e Protection of Rail Shipments of Fruits and Vegetables. U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Handbook 195. 3 4 MARKETING RESEARCH REPORT 1070, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE COMMODITIES WITH SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Avocados Ripening would be rapid at 55° to 65° F (18° to 18° C) ; chilling injury may occur below 50° F (10° C). Citrus Fruits Biphenyl, which is used as a fungicide on citrus fruits, may impart off-odors to other commodities. Lemons.—For holding 1 month or less, 32° to 55° F (0° to 13° C) is acceptable; for longer periods, 50° to 55° F (10° to 18° C) is neces- sary. Limes.—Do not hold below 45 °F (7.5° C) longer than about 2 weeks. Oranges and Tangerines—Compatibility de- pends on source. Florida-grown or Texas-grown oranges are shipped at 32° to 40° F (0° to 4.5° C), but California-grown and Arizona-grown ones are shipped at 40° to 44° F (4.5° to 7° C). Grapes Compatible with other crops only if the grapes are not fumigated with sulfur dioxide (SO.) in vehicle and if no chemicals that release SO, are included in packages. COMPATIBILITY GROUPS Group 1 Recommended Transit Conditions: Temperature: 32° to 34° F (0° to 1.5° C). Relative humidity: 90 to 95 percent. Atmosphere: Normally used on berries and cherries only—10 to 20 percent CO.. Ice: Never in contact with commodity. Note: Most members of this group not com- patible with Group 6a or 6b because ethylene production by Group 1 can be high, and thus harmful to members of Groups 6a or 6b. Apples Apricots Berries (except cranberries) Cherries Figs (not with apples, danger of odor transfer to figs; also see Group 6a) Grapes (see Commodities with Special Requirements; also see Group 6a) Peaches Pears Persimmons Plums and prunes Pomegranates Quinces Group 2 Recommended Transit Conditions: Temperature: 55° to 65° F (18° to 18° C). Relative humidity: 85 to 95 percent. Ice: Never in contact with commodity. Avocados (see Commodities with Special Requirements) Bananas Eggplant (also see Group 5) Grapefruit, Arizona and California; Florida before Jan. 1 (see Com- modities with Special Requirements —Citrus Fruits) Guava Mangoes Muskmelons, other than cantaloupes Casaba Crenshaw Honeydews Persian Olives, fresh Papayas Pineapples (not with avocados, danger of avocados’ odor absorption) Tomatoes, green Tomatoes, pink (also see Group 4) Watermelons (also see Groups 4 and 5) Group 8 Recommended Transit Conditions: Temperature: 36° to 41° F (2.5° to 5.0°C). Relative humidity: 90 to 95 percent; canta- loupes about 95 percent. FRUITS AND VEGETABLES IN MIXED LOADS 5 Ice: In contact only with cantaloupes. Group 6a Cantaloupes Cranberries Lemons (adjust temperature to other commodity: see Commodities with Special Requirements) Lychees (also see Group 4) Oranges (see Commodities with Special Requirements) This group, except for figs, grapes, and mushrooms, is compatible with Group 6b. Recommended Transit Conditions: Temperature: 32° to 34° F (0° to 1.5° C). Relative humidity: 95 to 100 percent. Ice: Never in contact with asparagus, figs, grapes, and mushrooms. Tangerines (see Commodities with Spe- as ial Requirements) sparagus cia Beets, red Carrots Group 4 Endive and escarole Recommended Transit Conditions: Figs (also see Group 1) Temperature: 40° to 45° F (4.5° to 7.5° C); Grapes (see Commodities with Special beans 38° to 42° F (3.5° to 5.5° C). Requirements, also see Group 1) Relative humidity: About 95 percent. Greens Ice: Never in contact with commodity. Leek (not with figs or grapes) Beans, snap Lettuce Lychees (also see Group 3) Mushrooms Okra Parsley Peppers, green (not with beans) Parsnips Peppers, red (if with green peppers, Peas temperature adjusted toward top of Rhubarb range) Salsify Squash, summer Spinach Tomatoes, pink (also see Group 2) Sweet corn Watermelons (also see Groups 2 and 5) Watercress Group 5 Group 6b Recommended Transit Conditions: This group is compatible with Group 6a, ex- Temperature: 40° to 55° F (4.5° to 18° C); cept for figs, grapes, and mushrooms. ginger not below 55° F. Recommended Transit Conditions: Relative humidity: 85 to 90 percent. Temperature: 32° to 34° F (0° to 1.5° C). Ice: Never in contact with commodity. Relative humidity: 95 to 100 percent. Cucumbers Ice: Contact acceptable for all. Eggplant (also see Group 2) Ginger (not with eggplant, also see Group 7) Grapefruit, Florida (after Jan. 1) and Texas Limes (see Commodities with Special Requirements) Potatoes (late crop) Pumpkin and Squashes, winter Watermelon (temperature adjusted for other members of group; also see Groups 2 and 4) Broccoli Brussels sprouts Cabbage Cauliflower Celeriac Celery Horseradish Kohlrabi Onions, green (not with rhubarb, figs, or grapes; probably not with mush- rooms or sweet corn) Radishes 6 MARKETING RESEARCH REPORT 1070, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Group 6b—Continued Group 7—Continued Rutabagas Potatoes, early crop (temperatures ad- Turnips justed for others) Sweetpotatoes Group 8 ee Recommended Transit Conditions: Recommended Transit Conditions: Temperature: 32° to 34° F (0° to 1.5° C). Temperature: 55° to 65° F (18° to 18° C). Relative humidity: 65 to 75 percent. Relative humidity: 85 to 90 percent. Ice: Never in contact with commodity. Ice: Never in contact with commodity. Garlic Ginger (also see Group 5) Onions, dry INDEX OF CROPS Crop Group Crop Group Fruits Vegetables and melons—Continued Apples, <.. 2220220025222 2 see al IBTOCCOL Pee oe eee ae oe eee 6b Apricots’ <2. 22552 Seen ee ee 1 Brussels Sprouts) See ee es ee eee 6b AV0C800S:. .222522500 5522 25 eee 2 Cabbage Rea fe ee ea oe tne an ee BC ee eer 6b Bananas: 42 -2=S2 2a Oo ee 2 Cantaloupes, see muskmelons Berries: cen ee ee ee ee 1 Carrots (Sins Ss 2 eo ee ee ae 6a Cheérriés...<. $e ie 2 eee a Cauliflower 2223 ee ee ee 6b Cranberries... 522 2 Sk 3 Celeriac:' =: Pena e ee eee e 6b PPS tre ee eee 1, 6a Gelery =. =eae a pe BS AR EO cee) 6 ee 6b Grapetruit 222-3 oo SS ee eee 2,5 GUCUM DCTS eee re ee ee ey ee 5 Grapes: 2.5) 2 3 eee 1, 6a Ngeeplant. 2282 eee ee ee ee eee 2,5 Gitlavas nn 2 se he 2 Endive and! escarolewic ee ee a eee ee 6a TieM0n S22 kp a ate oe 3 Garlic tases 22 ok 1 Ree SS Dees 8 Tames) S22 ee a ee 5 Ginger: 4282 ae ee ee ee ee eee 5,7 Ivehees’ 2252123225. totes Tein eS 3,4 Greens), 2.222 2 eo ee ee Se ee ee ee: 6a Mangoes. 22-4220 2.26 i a ces 2 Horseradishi22 222 22 2s ee eee ee eee 6b Muskmelons, see vegetables and melons Kohlrabis 2 s4aos 8 sae eS ee a 6b Nectarines, see peaches Theek =. at Oe ee ee ee Se ee 6a Olives, fresh’ 22 2-2 22a ut ee ee 2 THO CEU CC ee eres ren ee 6a Oranges: 220 ner ee ee 3 Mushrooms * ==. = se ee er ee ee 6a Papay ass. oe ee: Se 2 Muskmelons Peaches ________ etl ee ede es eee 1 Cantaloupes! (3022 ese. ae eee ee 3 Pears: 2.2... oe So ee 1 Casabar a ies See ea ere ee ee eee 2 Persimmons: 2-2. Senne esc oes 1 Crenshaw: = 222 nen a ee ee 2 Pineapples ne mI ee ey ed ay rs er) 2 Honey. dew e ee ee er ee ee ee ee 2 Plums'and: prunes. 22.2220 .-i2u222-222 222-2: uf Persian: s 222% = Soc ete cee ae eee ee 2 Pomegranates ___-____________-_________-_-~- 1 Okra a ee ee 4 Quinces 22222-22224 et ne ee 1 Qnions}sdryi 222s ee ee 8 Strawberries, see berries Onions CYeen ys a ee ae a ee 6b Taneerines: 22 oh2 eee teen ec te Se 3 Parsley: seat a ea eee ee eee 6a Parsnips* 25 S20 sane eee ee eee eee 6a Vegetables and melons Peas: —------ ~------------------- -~----------- 6a Peppers) gYeen oo sos see eee oe eee eee Beet SS % 4 Artichokes _________ 25 i tL ee omar ee 6a Peppers; reds eas Rae ee Se 4 Asparagus a ee ee SE 6a Potatoes; early crop.--=2. 2 2242 7 Beans, snap __------------- ne ee ee 4 Potatoes, late crop ______- oe aan 5 Beets, red ____-_________ wiessdscesel eee 6a Pumpkins and squashes, winter ___--_--__----- 5 FRUITS AND VEGETABLES IN MIXED LOADS Crop Group Vegetables and melons—Continued Rad is hes geese te ee PE SE ey eee ee 6b Rhubarb te gee eee ee es 6a Rutabacasy, 25 ae see oe a ee 6b Dall SUf Veer. oe Se eee Se et CES os 6a Spinach _____ Duibhkye Sete Ciektnas tLe Re bs 6a Squash, “summed 2s ees eee 4 Squash, winter, see pumpkins and squashes, winter Crop Group Vegetables and melons—Continued Sweet corm: 2822-250 bs ee 6a Sweetpotatoes <2 ==. 7 Tomatoes, green _________-__________-_____- oue Tomatoes;-pink —_ 22. 22222 ee ee 2,4 PPUPNIPS pe ae Sa Soe EEE ee 6b Wiatercress: 2.2222. 325-22. St nn 6a Weatermelons: '. 2.2. ne 2,4,5 wy U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1977 O—228-412 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE HYATTSVILLE, MARYLAND 20782 OFFICIAL BUSINESS PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300 POSTAGE AND FEES PAID U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGR 101 sz U.S.MAIL