Effects of Applications and Packaging on the Common and Cold Storage of ‘Gülşen’ Seedless Lemons

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of bulk and wrapped packaging with and without fungicide treatment on the storage and shelf life of ‘Gülşen’ seedless lemon variety in common store and cold storage facility. The study was conducted during the 2019 and 2020, the harvested lemon fruits were stored in a common store belonging to a producer in the Küçükfındık Plateau of Erdemli District of Mersin province and in a cold storage facility at the Alata Horticulture Research Institute at 10°C and 90% relative humidity from the beginning of December to August (8 months) after fungicide bulk, fungicide wrapped, non-fungicide bulk and non-fungicide wrapped applications. In order to determine the shelf life of the stored lemon fruits, the fruits were held at 20°C and 70% relative humidity conditions for 7 days during each sampling period. According to the research results, increases in weight loss, fungal and physiological deterioration, fruit rind color L* value, juice content, total soluble solids (TSS), and vitamin C content were observed during storage, while decreases were observed in appearance, fruit rind color h° value, the percentage of green capsules, and titratable acid (TA) content. During the shelf life period, increases in weight loss, juice content, TSS, and vitamin C content were observed, while decreases were observed in appearance, fruit rind color h° value, percentage of green capsules, and TA content. Consequently, the 'Gülşen' seedless lemon variety fruits could be stored for 4 months in common store and up to 6 months in cold storage, maintaining their quality in all applications.