Cause and development of blackheart in pineapples

Abstract

Blackheart (also known as endogenous brown spot and Brunissement interne) affecting pineapples is reviewed briefly in relation to its occurrence and theories of its cause. Investigations carried out in Queensland, Australia, show that blackheart manifested itself in summer fruit following storage for 3 days at temperatures up to 21 °C, but the disorder was not initiated after 15 days at 25°C. Blackheart, therefore, appears to be a disorder produced by chilling at temperatures ? 21 °C.