Left: In carbon dioxide-sensitive apple varieties, like these Golden Delicious, fruit harvested early tends to have peel injuries. Right: Internal breakdown occurred in this Golden Delicious apple, as a result of carbon dioxide injury. All apples release carbon dioxide as part of the fruit respiration process. But some varieties, like Golden Delicious and Empire, are more sensitive to carbon dioxide and require special postharvest management strategies. However, cold-storage operators have several options available to avoid peel and internal injuries associated with carbon dioxide injury.     Dr. Jim Mattheis  specializes in postharvest physiology of apples, pears, and cherries with the U.S. […]