Abstract
The production of Red Jonaprince cultivar is increasing, but the quality of apples is still challenging. Therefore, various options may be used including 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) application, as it influences ethylene receptors and blocks them, resulting in the possibility of delaying harvesting. The preharvest application of 1-MCP has not been studied so far for this cultivar but for other ones it has been successful, as it is based on the understanding of the natural apple ripening process. The study aimed to analyze the possibility of applying a 1-MCP treatment in the preharvest period for Red Jonaprince apples. The study was conducted based on a comparison of apples from two groups of Red Jonaprince apple trees (4 years) cultivated in an experimental orchard, where for one of them 1-MCP was applied in the preharvest period (HarvistaTM; 150 g per ha; 20 September—12 days before the optimum harvesting window (OHW)). For both groups, the apples were studied twice, for harvesting in the OHW (2 October) and for delayed harvesting (24 October). The harvested fruits were stored in an Ultra Low Oxygen chamber (ULO; 1.2% CO2, 1.2% O2) until May. They were analyzed before storage (preharvest) five times (20 September–24 October) and after storage (postharvest) three times (20 March–18 May). The following parameters were included: firmness, total soluble solids (TSS) content, titratable acidity (TA). For the preharvest period, the parameters also included internal ethylene content (IEC), starch index, and Streif index. For the preharvest period, significant differences associated with the 1-MCP treatment (p ≤ 0.05) were observed for the IEC (lower results for apples treated for 4th and 5th assessment), TA (higher results), and Streif index (higher results). Meanwhile, for firmness, TSS, and starch index for the majority of measurements there were no differences (p > 0.05). For the postharvest period, significant differences associated with 1-MCP treatment (p ≤ 0.05) were observed for firmness (higher results) and TA (higher results) both for OHW and delayed harvesting. It was concluded that a preharvest 1-MCP treatment allowed delayed harvesting and reduced the quality deterioration during the ULO storage of Red Jonaprince apples.
Highlights
When comparing apple production in Poland and other European Union countries, it must be indicated that some cultivars that are grown are popular in various countries
For the preharvest period significant differences associated with 1-MCP treatment were observed for internal ethylene content (IEC)
For the postharvest period significant differences associated with 1-MCP treatment were observed for firmness and titratable acidity (TA), as both for optimum harvesting window (OHW) and delayed harvesting the higher results were observed when 1-MCP was applied
Summary
When comparing apple production in Poland and other European Union countries, it must be indicated that some cultivars that are grown are popular in various countries. For European Union countries, Golden Delicious is the most widespread (15% of the European Union’s total apple area), followed by Idared and Jonagold with its mutants (10% and 10%), as defined based on Eurostat data [1]. At the same time, based on the data of the Central Statistical Office in Poland [2] it may be stated that Idared (22% of the Polish total apple area) and Jonagold (17%) are among the most prominent ones, but Golden Delicious is not so prominent. During storage the sensory features of Jonagold apples significantly decrease compared with changes observed for Idared fruits [3] It follows that there is a need of specific actions to preserve the quality features of Jonagold apples
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