3.1.1. Superficial Scald

In the 2015 season (Table 1), superficial scald incidence was significantly (*p* = 0.0003) influenced by three-way interaction amongst the main effects (storage treatments, storage duration, and shelf life). The treatment contribution to the three-way interaction could be attributed to significantly higher superficial scald development on RA stored 'Granny Smith' apples than RLOS (ULO and CA) and DCA-CF stored fruit. No incidence of superficial scald was observed on fruit subjected to RLOS + ULO and DCA-CF treatments at every sampling interval. In the 2016 seasons, superficial scald developed on RLOS (ULO and CA)

and DCA-CF stored fruit from 6 months until the end of storage. There was no significant difference in superficial scald in the 2015 season for RLOS + ULO and RLOS + CA, whereas in 2016, there was a significant difference at 6 months and 7 days shelf life (RLOS + ULO = 32.38%, RLOS + CA = 0%, and DCA-CF = 3.36%). Overall, the results showed minimal risk of superficial scald development for DCA-CF stored 'Granny Smith' apples over the two seasons.

**Table 1.** Superficial scald incidence (%) on 'Granny Smith' apples harvested at commercial maturity (with no superficial scald at harvest) and stored for up to 10 months at 0 ◦C in various storage conditions, evaluated every two months followed by a 6 week simulated shipment and handling period, and at 7 days on the shelf (20 ◦C and 65% RH).


Mean ± standard deviation in the same column followed by different letter(s) are significantly different (*p* < 0.05) according to least significant difference (LSD) *t*-test. RLOS—repeated low oxygen stress; ULO—ultra-low oxygen; CA—controlled atmosphere; DCA-CF dynamic controlled atmosphere-chlorophyll fluorescence; RA—regular atmosphere.

3.1.2. Coreflush

In the 2015 season (Table 2), there was an onset of coreflush after 6 months for apples stored in RLOS (ULO = 77% and CA = 87%) and DCA-CF (80%). However, fruit subjected to RA storage had an onset of coreflush incidence (100%) after 8 months. This observation suggests that the maximum storage duration before the risk of coreflush development for 'Granny Smith' apples was 6 months. Contrary to the first season, in the 2016 season, coreflush developed at certain storage intervals without forming a trend. Fruit subjected to RLOS + ULO phases developed coreflush after 2, 6, and 10 months of storage. Moreover, fruit subjected to RLOS + CA treatment recorded 100% coreflush after 2 months of storage. Overall, the results highlighted the inefficacy of low oxygen technologies to prevent coreflush incidence over the entire 10 months of storage and shelf life.


**Table 2.** Coreflush incidence (%) on 'Granny Smith' apples harvested at commercial maturity (with no coreflush incidence at harvest) and stored for up to 10 months at 0 ◦C in various storage conditions, evaluated every two months followed by a 6 week simulated shipment and handling period, and at 7 days on the shelf (20 ◦C and 65% RH).

Mean ± standard deviation in the same column followed by different letter(s) are significantly different (*p* < 0.05) according to least significant difference (LSD) *t*-test. RLOS—repeated low oxygen stress; ULO—ultra-low oxygen; CA—controlled atmosphere; DCA-CF dynamic controlled atmosphere-chlorophyll fluorescence; RA—regular atmosphere.
