Abstract
Abstract The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of single and multiple pre-harvest spray aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) applications with or without ethephon, in ‘Baigent’ apple trees cultivated under anti-hail screen and harvesting date on fruit quality after storage. The experiment was conducted in a commercial orchard in the municipality of Vacaria/RS, in the 2014/15 and 2015/16 harvests. Treatments consisted of: control (plants sprayed with water); AVG (125 mg L-1, 30 days before the predicted harvest date; BPHD); ethephon (120 mg L-1, seven BPHD); AVG (62.5 mg L-1 + 62.5 mg L-1, 30 and 20 BPHD); AVG (62.5 mg L-1 + 62.5 mg L-1, 30 and 20 BPHD) + ethephon (120 mg L-1, seven BPHD). Fruits of all treatments were harvested at commercial harvest (harvest 1) and after 14 days (harvest 2). Fruits were evaluated after four months of cold storage (0.5 °C ± 0.2 °C and RH 92 ± 5%). The use of AVG, regardless of single or multiple applications, reduced ethylene production rate, skin yellowing, farinaceous pulp and senescent degeneration incidence and maintained higher pulp firmness values and pulp penetration and skin rupture strength. Ethephon provided fruits with higher farinaceous pulp incidence. Fruit treated with AVG, regardless of single or multiple application and combination with ethephon, presents better quality after cold storage.
Highlights
In Brazil, apple production is concentrated in the southern region, especially in the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, producing 1.1 million tons per year (FAOSTAT, 2018)
The main growth regulator applied in apple trees to increase the harvest period is aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), which is indicated to delay harvesting and avoid fruit drop, and to improve the maintenance of fruit quality during storage due to reduction in ethylene production (YILDIZ; OZTURK; OSKAN, 2012; BRACKMANN et al, 2014)
In the ethylene synthesis route, AVG inhibits the conversion of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) into 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), catalyzed by the ACC synthase enzyme (ACS) (POEL; STRAETEN, 2014)
Summary
In Brazil, apple production is concentrated in the southern region, especially in the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, producing 1.1 million tons per year (FAOSTAT, 2018). ‘Gala’ cultivar and its clones represent about 65% of the Brazilian apple production. The application of growth regulators is an alternative to anticipate or delay fruit harvest and to reduce pre- and post-harvest losses. The main growth regulator applied in apple trees to increase the harvest period is aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), which is indicated to delay harvesting and avoid fruit drop, and to improve the maintenance of fruit quality during storage due to reduction in ethylene production (YILDIZ; OZTURK; OSKAN, 2012; BRACKMANN et al, 2014). Despite the benefits promoted by AVG application, this compound reduces the development of red color of ‘Gala’ apple (STEFFENS et al, 2006), impairing its visual appearance
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