1-Methylcyclopropene preserves the firmness of plums during postharvest storage and ripening.
Skog, L. J., Schaefer, B. H. and Smith, P. G.
ISHS Acta Horticulturae 553: 171-172.
2001
บทคัดย่อ
The potential of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) to extend storage and shelf life and to prevent postharvest softening of several plum cultivars was evaluated. In 1998, 'Verity' and a University of Guelph selection 'V72-521' were tested. In 1999, 'Verity' and 'Italian' were tested. EthylBloc was applied at room temperature (20 deg C) at 1 g/m3 prior to cold storage. After EthylBoc treatment, the fruit was stored for 26-30 days at 1 plus or minus 0.5 deg C then either evaluated immediately or stored at room temperature for 2 days prior to evaluation. The fruit was evaluated at harvest, after storage and after post-storage ripening for firmness, soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity and Hunter Colour 'L', 'a' and 'b'. All cultivars responded positively to the EthylBloc treatment but the degree of response varied with cultivar and year. In 1998, 'Verity' responded extremely well to the EthylBloc with no significant decrease in firmness either in storage or during post-storage ripening. Results were less promising in 1999 with 'Verity', possibly as a result of advanced fruit ripeness at harvest. Results with the other cultivars were also positive but less pronounced than the 1998 'Verity' trial, with ripened treated fruits retaining 59-82% of initial firmness post-storage compared to untreated fruits which retained 24-36% of initial firmness. After storage, but prior to ripening, treated fruits from these cultivars retained 71-100% of initial firmness compared to untreated fruits, which retained 41-73% of initial firmness. Other quality parameters measured indicated that colour, sugar and acid changes associated with ripening proceeded for the EthylBloc-treated fruits. Changes were not always as pronounced as for the control fruits. Although, EthylBloc-treated plums were significantly firmer in 1998, there was no significant difference in Hunter 'a' colour, pH or soluble solids between the control and the EthylBloc-treated fruits. In contrast, for 'V72-521' selection all 4 parameters were less advanced for the EthylBloc-treated fruits.