Charles F. Forney, Ph.D.

Research Scientist

Plant Physiologist that conducts research to develop technologies that maximize and maintain quality and enhance the value of fresh fruits and vegetables throughout production, storage and marketing. Technologies studied include maturity optimization, precooling, temperature management, controlled atmosphere storage, modified atmosphere packaging, biosensors, heat and ozone treatments, as well as juice and wine production. The effect of these technologies on quality attributes including flavor chemistry and nutritional composition are determined to maximize value.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

32 Main Street, Kentville, Nova Scotia

Current research and/or projects

Optimizing aroma and flavor of fresh fruits and vegetables
Characterization of stess induce volatile emission of fresh produce
Controlled atmosphere storage of small fruits
Determination of fruit and vegetable quality
Physiology of fruit ripening
Development of postharvest treatments to extend storage life of fresh produce
Postharvest change of antioxidants in fresh fruits and vegetables
Maintaining Quality of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables
Determination of pre-harvest factors affecting quality and storage life

Fields of Science

Learn more about my research and how it impacts you by visiting Fields of Science, a campaign featuring 11 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada scientists from coast to coast.

Education and awards

B.Sc. Horticulture, The Pennsylvania State University 1978

B.Sc. Biology, The Pennsylvania State University 1978

M.Sc. Horticulture, The Pennsylvania State University 1980

Ph. D. Horticulture, Oregon State University 1984

Key publications

Li, Y.-M., Forney, C., Bondada, B., Leng, F., Xie, Z.-S. (2021). The Molecular Regulation of Carbon Sink Strength in Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.), 11 http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.606918
2021 - View publication details
Muche, B.M., Jordan, M., Forney, C.F., Speers, R.A., Rupasinghe, H.P.V. (2020). Effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and storage atmosphere on the volatile aroma composition of cloudy and clear apple juices, 6(4), 1-15. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/beverages6040059
2020 - View publication details
Reis, L., Forney, C.F., Jordan, M., Munro Pennell, K., Fillmore, S., Schemberger, M.O., Ayub, R.A. (2020). Metabolic Profile of Strawberry Fruit Ripened on the Plant Following Treatment With an Ethylene Elicitor or Inhibitor, 11 http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.00995
2020 - View publication details
McClure, K.A., Gong, Y.H., Song, J., Vinqvist-Tymchuk, M., Campbell Palmer, L., Fan, L., Burgher-MacLellan, K., Zhang, Z.Q., Celton, J.M., Forney, C.F., Migicovsky, Z., Myles, S. (2019). Genome-wide association studies in apple reveal loci of large effect controlling apple polyphenols, 6(1), http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41438-019-0190-y
2019 - View publication details
Forney, C.F., LeBlanc, D.I., Vigneault, C., Toussaint, V., Bourgeois, G., Clément, A. and Bezanson, G. (2018). The interaction of storage temperature and duration on aroma volatiles in tomato fruit. Acta Hortic. 1194, 343-350
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1194.49
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1194.49
2018 - View publication details
Bezanson, G.S., Ells, T.C., Fan, L., Forney, C.F., LeBlanc, D.I. (2018). Aerated Steam Sanitization of Whole Fresh Cantaloupes Reduces and Controls Rind-Associated Listeria but Enhances Fruit Susceptibility to Secondary Colonization, 83(4), 1025-1031. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.14082
2018 - View publication details
Forney, C.F., Fan, L., Bezanson, G.S., Ells, T.C., LeBlanc, D.I., Fillmore, S. (2018). Impact of Listeria Inoculation and Aerated Steam Sanitization on Volatile Emissions of Whole Fresh Cantaloupes, 83(4), 1017-1024. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.14092
2018 - View publication details
Xie, Z., Forney, C.F., Bondada, B. (2018). Renewal of vascular connections between grapevine buds and canes during bud break, 233 331-338. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2018.02.019
2018 - View publication details
McClure, K.A., Gardner, K.M., Douglas, G.M., Song, J., Forney, C.F., Delong, J., Fan, L., Du, L., Toivonen, P.M.A., Somers, D.J., Rajcan, I., Myles, S. (2018). A genome-wide association study of apple quality and scab resistance, 11(1), http://dx.doi.org/10.3835/plantgenome2017.08.0075
2018 - View publication details
Luo, H., Song, J., Toivonen, P., Gong, Y., Forney, C., Campbell Palmer, L., Fillmore, S., Pang, X.Q., Zhang, Z.Q. (2018). Proteomic changes in ‘Ambrosia’ apple fruit during cold storage and in response to delayed cooling treatment, 137 66-76. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2017.11.011
2018 - View publication details
Forney, C.F. 2017. Harvest & post harvest handing of blueberries for fresh & IQF markets. Presented at the Wild Blueberry Growers Association of Nova Scotia Annual Meeting, Truro, NS, November 17, 2017. http://www.nswildblueberries.com/news/download?path=C%2BForney%2BNov%2B2017.pdf
2017 - View publication details
Forney, C.F. and J. Song. 2017. Flavors and aromas: Chemistry and biological functions. p. 933-974. In: E.M. Yahia (ed.) Fruit and Vegetable Phytochemicals: Chemistry and Human Health. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Chichester, West Sussex, UK.
2017 - View publication details
Ali, A., Yeoh, W.K., Forney, C. and Siddiqui, M.W. 2017. Advances in postharvest technologies to extend the storage life of minimally processed fruits and vegetables. Crit. Rev. Food Sci. Nutr.:1-18.
2017 - View publication details
Forney, C.F., S. Blatt, T. Forge, D. Neilsen, J.A. Cline, K.D. Munro Pennell and S.A.E. Fillmore. 2017. Rootstock effects on phloem amino acid composition: Role in aphid resistance. ASHS Annual Meeting Sept 19-22, 2017, Waikoloa, Hawaii, USA (abstract) https://ashs.confex.com/ashs/2017/webprogramarchives/Paper26286.html
2017 - View publication details
Duarte-Sierra, A., Forney, C.F., Michaud, D., Angers, P., Arul, J. (2017). Influence of hormetic heat treatment on quality and phytochemical compounds of broccoli florets during storage, 128 44-53. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2017.01.017
2017 - View publication details
Forney, C.F. (2016). "Impact of Postharvest Technologies on the Flavor of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.", - Postharvest Ripening Physiology of Crops, pp. 585-620.
2016 - View publication details
FORNEY, C. F. 2016. Physiology and biochemistry of aroma and off-odors in fresh-cut products. Acta Horticulturae, 1141, 35-46.
2016 - View publication details
McClure, K.A., Gardner, K.M., Toivonen, P.M.A., Hampson, C.R., Song, J., Forney, C.F., DeLong, J., Rajcan, I., Myles, S. (2016). QTL analysis of soft scald in two apple populations, 3 http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/hortres.2016.43
2016 - View publication details
Yang, X., Song, J., Du, L., Forney, C., Campbell-Palmer, L., Fillmore, S., Wismer, P., Zhang, Z. (2016). Ethylene and 1-MCP regulate major volatile biosynthetic pathways in apple fruit, 194 325-336. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.08.018
2016 - View publication details
Forney, C., J. Song, P. Toivonen, M.A. Jordan, and S.A.E. Fillmore. 2016. Volatile metabolite changes in ‘Ambrosia’ apple fruit associated with soft scald development. HortScience, ASHS Annual Meeting Aug 8-11, 2016, Atlanta, Georgia, USA (presentation)
2016 - View publication details