CHILLING INITIATES ETHYLENE PRODUCTION IN GRANNY SMITH APPLES

Abstract

The onset of the respiratory and ethylene climacterics in Granny Smith apples is usually protracted when the fruit are held continuously at 20°C. We have found that a period of at least 4 days at 0°C stimulates ethylene production when the fruit are returned to 20°C. Once initiated ethylene production proceeds at a high rate. Data will be presented showing the pattern of ethylene production following chilling by Granny Smith apples from two commercial districts in Australia. Our data suggests that a period of chilling stimulates ACC Synthase as in Winter Pears.