Respiration rate
Respiration rate is the speed at which a plant or harvested produce consumes oxygen and releases carbon dioxide through metabolic processes.
Также говорят: respiratory rate, metabolic rate, gas exchange rate
This metric serves as a key indicator of metabolic activity. A high respiration rate post-harvest signals rapid ripening and a shorter shelf life for fruits and vegetables.
Producers utilize this data to calibrate storage environments, such as controlled atmosphere systems. Managing this rate is essential to minimize sugar loss and maintain freshness during transport.
A common mistake is maintaining improper storage temperatures, which triggers an exponential increase in respiration and leads to accelerated decay of the harvested produce.