Investigating the Role of Controlled Atmosphere in Preventing Storage Breakdown Disorder in ‘VerdeDIVO’ Kiwifruit through Transcriptomic Analysis.

Storage breakdown disorder (SBD) is a serious problem in the postharvest management of kiwifruits, leading to significant economic losses when stored for extended periods at low temperatures. Control atmosphere (CA) storage has emerged as a promising method to prevent SBD and preserve fruit quality during long-term storage. This study uses transcriptomic analysis to explore CA storage's role in mitigating SBD in 'VerdeDivo' kiwifruit. The research reveals that CA storage influences various factors impacting fruit quality during storage and shelf life. Late-harvested fruits show improved resilience to SBD, likely due to acclimatisation to lower preharvest temperatures and increased soluble solids content (SSC) at harvest. Firmness loss during storage was slower in CA, with gene expression analysis suggesting that controlled atmosphere influenced the control of the cell wall-modifying gene. Furthermore, the research uncovered that low temperatures independently influence kiwifruit ripening by regulating genes like Polygalacturonase (PG), irrespective of ethylene. Moreover, genes involved in chlorophyll degradation (CBR and PPH) exhibit differential expression but do not directly correlate with fruit colour changes and chlorophyll content. CA storage maintained the green colour of 'VerdeDivo' kiwifruit better than RN, especially during shelf life. Temperature was found to influence colour changes, with higher temperatures accelerating degreening. The study also identified the potential role of oxidative stress due to low oxygen levels in CA storage, which could impact gene regulation and fruit ripening. CA storage delayed the initiation of endogenous ethylene production during shelf life. In conclusion, CA storage showed promise in preserving kiwifruit quality by delaying softening, degreening, and SBD incidence. However, the study recommends careful consideration of harvest maturity and further investigation into oxidative stress's impact on fruit ripening in CA storage. This research provides valuable insights for kiwifruit producers aiming to maintain fruit quality during storage and transport.