Abstract: The combined effect of pre- cooling and controlled atmosphere( CA) on quality of Pisum sativum L. was investigated.Pisum sativum L.were precooled in a cold storage to about 2 ℃ after placed at room temperature for 0( immediate pre-cooling),6,12 h( Control),respectively,and then stored for 30 days at( 1 ± 0.5) ℃ with controlled atmosphere( 3% O_2+ 5% CO_2,balance N2).Changes in a*value,O_2~-· production rate,respiration rate,MDA,chlorophyll,cellulose and reducing sugar contents,cellulase( CEL),superoxide dismutase( SOD) and peroxidase( POD) activities were evaluated at intervals of 10 days. The results showed that the immediate pre- cooling combined with CA significantly retarded the increase of a*value and cellulose content and the decline of chlorophyll content,maintained relatively lower respiration rate,O_2~-· production rate and MDA content.Reducing sugar content was slightly higher than the control. The treatment also promoted CEL,SOD and POD activities compared with the control.The present findings indicated that the immediate pre- cooling combined with CA could retard yellowing and fibrosis,inhibit respiration rate,improve antioxidant enzymes activities,and therefore maintain a better quality of Pisum sativum L.