Report Summary: Eleven kinds of fresh vegetables were tested to evaluate the possible extension of their market life by irradiation. Radiation reduced postharvest growth of mushrooms without apparent impairment of quality. Sprouting of sweetpotatoes was inhibited by radiation, but susceptibility of the roots to decay was increased by relatively low doses. Decay of some lots of tomatoes was reduced, but radiation caused mottling and softening of the fruits. Decay of cucumbers, summer squash, and cantaloups was not consistently affected by radiation, but softening of these vegetables was increased by the treatments, and the fresh green appearance of cucumbers and scallop squash was impaired. Radiation caused softening, yellowing, and calyx discoloration of peppers, stem pitting and discoloration of globe artichokes, and severe spotting and discoloration of lettuce and endive, and accelerated quality loss in sweet corn.
