Question

Superficial rind pitting
(A) It is a physiological disorder causing serious damage to Shamouti orange
(B) The majority of the symptoms develop 3-5 weeks after harvest
(C) Ethylene increases the incidence
(D) Storage at 5\(^\circ\)C increase the incidence
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. (A), (B) and (D) only.
• B. (A) and (D) only.
• C. (A), (B) and (C). only
  % Chosen option is 3
• D. (B), (C) and (D) only.

Hint:

Superficial rind pitting in citrus:
(A) Is a physiological disorder, affects Shamouti. (True)
(B) Symptoms often develop post-harvest during storage. (True)
(C) Ethylene can worsen it. (True)
(D) Storage at a specific low temperature (like 5\(^\circ\)C) can induce chilling injury/pitting if it's below the fruit's tolerance, but this temperature isn't always an "increase" factor; it's about optimal vs. chilling temperatures.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Superficial rind pitting, also known as cold pitting or storage pitting, is a physiological disorder affecting citrus fruits, particularly during post-harvest storage. Let's evaluate the statements:
[(A)] It is a physiological disorder causing serious damage to Shamouti orange. True. Superficial rind pitting is a physiological disorder (not caused by a pathogen) and can cause significant economic losses in susceptible citrus varieties like Shamouti oranges, Navel oranges, and grapefruits.
[(B)] The majority of the symptoms develop 3-5 weeks after harvest. True. The symptoms (small, sunken pits on the rind) often develop or become more pronounced during storage, typically appearing some weeks after harvest, especially if storage conditions are not optimal.
[(C)] Ethylene increases the incidence. True. Exposure to ethylene, even at low concentrations, can exacerbate many physiological disorders in citrus, including rind pitting and senescence-related issues. Ethylene can make the rind more susceptible to damage.
[(D)] Storage at 5\(^\circ\)C increase the incidence. This statement is generally False in the context of "increasing" incidence of cold-induced pitting. Superficial rind pitting is often a form of chilling injury. While storing at very low, non-optimal temperatures (e.g., below the critical temperature for a specific variety) can *induce* chilling injury including pitting, a temperature like 5\(^\circ\)C is often within the recommended range for many citrus types to *reduce* respiration and decay, thereby extending shelf life. However, if 5\(^\circ\)C is below the chilling threshold for a particularly sensitive variety like Shamouti, it *could* induce pitting. But more typically, pitting is exacerbated by storage at temperatures that are too low for that specific cultivar or by temperature fluctuations. A broadly stated "storage at 5\(^\circ\)C increases incidence" is problematic, as 5\(^\circ\)C is often a target storage temperature to prevent other issues, although for highly sensitive varieties, it might still be in the chilling range. Given the chosen answer is (3) (A), (B), and (C) only, this implies that statement (D) is considered false. This aligns with the understanding that while chilling injury (which includes pitting) is caused by low temperatures, a specific temperature like 5\(^\circ\)C isn't universally an "increase" factor; it depends on the cultivar's sensitivity. Statements (A), (B), and (C) are well-established facts regarding superficial rind pitting. Therefore, statements (A), (B), and (C) are correct. (A), (B) and (C) only.