Elevated carbon dioxide to suppress Botrytis growth during reefer container transport of table grapes

The growth of Botrytis cinerea is one of the main postharvest issues in table grapes. Slow-release SO2-systems are therefore routinely used in intercontinental reefer container transport of grapes. There are multiple downsides to SO2, and hence reasons to search for alternatives. An atmosphere with approximately 12% CO2 is one of those alternatives. This study reports on a field experiment in which an elevated CO2 atmosphere in a CA reefer container was used to suppress the growth of Botrytis cinerea during the shipment of table grapes from South Africa to The Netherlands. A field experiment with 12% CO2 was successfully completed. The experimental results are promising. Grape quality after arrival was good, and there was no difference between the CO2- and the SO2-treated grapes.