Overview

I conduct a postharvest science research program with a major focus on apple fruit. My research and extension activities are statewide and include development and conduct of harvest maturity management, postharvest handling, and storage technology from both basic and applied aspects. I am also the Associate Director for Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE). My administrative duties involve the agricultural and food systems portfolio within the CCE Director`s Office.

Research Focus

My research program is focused on developing the knowledge required for use of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), a new ethylene-binding inhibitor that extends the storage life of apples. This work is now being extended to preharvest 1-MCP applications. I also conduct research on new cultivars of importance to New York growers, on the effects of postharvest techniques on the nutritional quality of fruit, and to better understand the underlying mechanisms in fruit responses to storage conditions such as temperature, atmosphere, and 1-MCP, and the interaction of these factors with the development of storage disorders. Current projects focus on the development of physiological disorders of apples such as internal browning, external carbon dioxide injury and superficial scald.

Outreach and Extension Focus

I am responsible for developing and conducting the harvest maturity management, postharvest handling, and storage technology component of the multidisciplinary statewide fruit Extension program. I work in cooperation with Extension faculty in various departments, regional fruit specialists, Extension educators, storage operators, and marketers in development, conduct, and evaluation of the Extension program.

Instruction Focus

I regularly provide guest lectures for various academic courses, but I have no formal teaching component.

Additional Links

• 1-MCP bibliography
• Cornell Cooperative Extension
• Cornell Fruit Handling & Storage Newsletter
• Link to CALS Research portal
• Link to CALS Impact statements

Selected Publications

• Carroll, J.E., Robinson, T.L., Agnello, A.M., Reissig, W.H., Rosenberger, D.A., Landers, A.J., Curtis, P.D., Cheng, L., Merwin, I.A., Lakso, A.N., Watkins, C.B., Nyrop, J.P., Straub, R.W., Breth, D.I., Hoying, S. A., Fargione, M.J., Iungerman, K.A. 2006. New York integrated fruit production protocol for apples. Food and Life Science Bulletin 158, NYSAES, Cornell University. 30 pp.
• Watkins, C.B., Rosenberger, D.A. 2006. Cornell Fruit Handling and Storage Newsletter. 20pp.
• Watkins, C.B. 2006. Actions and uses of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). CAB Reviews: Perspectives Agric. Vet. Sci. Nutr. Natl. Resources 1 38:1-10 (doi: 10.1078/PAVSNNR20061038).
• Amissah, J.G.N., Hotchkiss, J.H., Watkins, C.B. 2006. Diphenylamine and pre-slicing storage effects on the response of apple slices to elevated CO2 atmospheres. Postharvest Biol. Technol. 39:178-184.
• Razafimbelo, F., Nock, J., Watkins, C. 2006. Managing external carbon dioxide injury with and without SmartFreshTM (1-MCP). New York Fruit Quarterly 14(3): 7-10.
• Kadzere, I., Watkins, C.B., Merwin, I.A., Akinnifesi, F.K., Saka, J.D.K. 2006. Postharvest damage and darkening in fresh fruit of Uapaca kirkiana (Muell. Arg.). Postharvest Biol. Technol. 39:199-203.
• Kadzere, I., Watkins, C.B., Merwin, I.A., Akinnifesi, F.K., Saka, J.D.K., Mhango, J. 2006. Harvesting and postharvest handling practices and characteristics of Uapaca kirkiana (Muell. Arg.) fruits: a survey of roadside markets in Malawi. Agroforest. Syst. 68:133-142.
• Kadzere, I., Watkins, C.B., Merwin, I.A., Akinnifesi, F.K., Shaka, J.D.K., Mhango, J. 2006. Fruit variability and relationships between color at harvest and quality during storage of Uapaca kirkiana (Muell. Arg.) fruit from natural woodlands. HortScience 41:352-356.
• Legnani, G., Watkins, C.B., Miller, W.B. 2006. Tolerance of dry-sale lily bulbs to elevated carbon dioxide in both ambient and low oxygen atmospheres. Postharvest Biol.Technol. 41:198-207.
• Liu, K., Jiang, H., Moore, S.L., Watkins, C.B., Jahn, M.M. 2006. Isolation and characterization of a lipid transfer protein expressed in ripening fruit of Capsicum chinense. Planta 223:672-683.
• Rosenberger, D.A., Engle, C.A., Meyer, F.W., Watkins, C.B. 2006. Penicillium expansum invades apples through stems during controlled atmosphere storage. Plant Health Progress 10pp. (doi:10.1094/PHP-2006-1213-01-RS).
• Tassoni, A., Watkins, C.B., Davies, P.J. 2006. Inhibition of the ethylene response by 1-MCP in tomato suggests that polyamines are not invoved in delaying ripening, but may moderate the rate of ripening or over-ripening. J. Exp. Bot. 57:3313-3325.
• Watkins, C.B. 2006. The uses of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on fruits and vegetables. Biotechnol. Adv. 24: 389-409. Watkins, C.B. 2006. 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) based technologies for storage and shelf life extension. Int. J. Postharvest Technol. Inov. 1:62-68.

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