Laboratory experiments with anhydrous ammonia—for the control of blue-green decay in injured-inoculated fruit—developed a treatment that provided excellent protection for oranges and lemons. However, tests also revealed that the gas must be applied within the first 24-30-hour storage period to be effective, because at 68°F the green mold—Penicillium digitatum—will penetrate approximately one millimeter into the rind, beyond reach of the chemical. Therefore, fruit injured in picking, dumping and loading must be treated promptly to avoid infection.

The above progress report is based on Research Project No. 808.