Keeping quality refers to the ability of produce to retain its market, nutritional, and seed characteristics for a certain period after harvest. The manifestation of this trait is directly linked to the physiological characteristics of the cultivar, in particular, the duration and depth of the dormancy period, which prevents premature sprouting and moisture loss.
This indicator depends on both the genetic traits of the cultivar and cultivation conditions, including plant mineral nutrient supply and weather conditions during the growing season. Resistance to storage is also determined by the tissue's ability to resist infection penetration and mechanical damage, as well as the intensity of moisture evaporation processes.
During cultivar testing, keeping quality is evaluated by comparing it with a regionalized standard under controlled storage conditions. The main evaluation criteria are the maximum storage duration in weeks or months, the percentage of standard product yield, as well as indicators of natural weight loss and loss volumes due to diseases.