Fruit Quality Attributes of ‘Arisoo’ and ‘Picnic’ Apples as Influenced by 1-Methylcyclopropene Concentration and Its Application Frequency during Cold Storage

Jung-Geun Kwon,Nay Myo Win,In-Kyu Kang,Aung Htay Naing,The-Thiri Maung,Jingi Yoo

doi:10.3390/horticulturae7110477

Abstract

The efficacy of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) in maintenance of apple fruit quality can differ depending on apple cultivar, ethylene content at harvest, 1-MCP concentration, the interval between harvest and 1-MCP application, and the number of applications. In this study, we investigated whether the 1-MCP concentration and its application frequency differently affected fruit quality attributes of the two new apple cultivars ‘Arisoo’ and ‘Picnic’. The fruits were treated with 1-MCP (as single or double treatments) at the rate of 0 μL L−1 (control), 0.5 μL L−1, 1 μL L−1, 0.5 + 0.5 μL L−1, and 1 + 1 μL L−1 for 18 h, and they were stored at 0 °C up to six months. Comparatively, the fruit qualities of 1-MCP treated fruits were higher than that of the control during cold storage, with a higher suppression of internal ethylene content and a slower reduction of titratable acidity in 1-MCP treatments than the controls throughout the cold storage in both cultivars, regardless of the concentration and number of applications. Reduction of fruit firmness and soluble solid contents were maintained by single application of 0.5 μL L−1 1-MCP in ‘Arisoo’ apple, while double application of 0.5 + 0.5 μL L−1 was needed in ‘Picnic’ cultivar. The effective concentration for weight-loss reduction was found to be the single application of 1 μL L−1 1-MCP in both ‘Arisoo’ and ‘Picnic’. Conclusively, 1-MCP as single treatment at the rate of 0.5 μL L−1 could be sufficient in inhibiting ethylene action and maintaining fruit quality losses during cold storage, particularly in ‘Arisoo’. However, double application of 1-MCP might be necessary for some quality attributes in ‘Picnic’ apple.

Highlights

Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) is one of the most representative fruits in Korea, which accounted for 20.5% of Korea’s fruit production in 2019, with a cultivation area of 32,954 ha and a production capacity of 508,000 tons in 2019–2020 [1,2]
The demand for cultivation or consumption of new apple cultivars is increasing from various consumers
The fruit weight of ‘Arisoo’ at harvest was higher than that of ‘Picnic’, and the opposite was observed in the flesh firmness

Summary

Introduction

Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) is one of the most representative fruits in Korea, which accounted for 20.5% of Korea’s fruit production in 2019, with a cultivation area of 32,954 ha and a production capacity of 508,000 tons in 2019–2020 [1,2]. As for 2019, ‘Fuji’ is the most cultivated apple in Korea, accounting for 67.2% of total apple cultivation, more than two-thirds of other cultivars. Following the ‘Fuji’ apple, ‘Hongro’ and ‘Tsugaru’ are popular apple cultivars in Korea. The demand for cultivation or consumption of new apple cultivars is increasing from various consumers. Comparing the status of Korean apple cultivars in 2012 and 2019, ‘Fuji’ apple’s cultivation decreased from 70.5%. To 67.9%, and other cultivars increased from 6.3% to 7.3% [3].

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion