number of 12 plants in each batch. As can be seen, a small difference
in initial vitality (N 0 ) has a marked effect on the change in time of the
acceptability when near the maximal possible count (12), and a far lesser
effect at lower conditions of initial vitality.
The dynamic model allows calculation of the effects of storage in
darkness on the acceptability as a function of variable temperature dur-
ing storage. This provides a tool that allows wholesalers of potted plants
and transport companies to calculate how long and within what tem-
perature limits a product can be transported without adversely affecting
its acceptability. It also allows insight into the optimum temperature and
time for simultaneous transportation of several species of potted plants,
with the quality of the most sensitive product as the limiting factor.
Keeping Quality of Perishable Produce
The effect of changing levels of quality criteria applied by consumers
or users cannot be taken from the type of model as used in the potted
134 ACCEPTABILITY
FIGURE 7.6The effect of initial condition (vitality) at 20°C for species Dieffenbachia.