The effects of ethephon application and harvest date on bitter pit development in ‘Bramley’s Seedling’ apples

Abstract

The incidence of bitter pit in untreated ‘Bramley’s Seedling’ apples increased as picking was delayed. Th:- ..as consistent with a reduction in fruit Ca concentration, which was associated with an increase in mean fruit weight. Fruit maturity was advanced by ethephon sprays ten days prior to harvest. This reduced bitter pit incidence but accelerated senescent breakdown in fruit picked later. From the storage results it was possible to identify the stage of maturity at which the ethephon-sprayed fruit developed minimum wastage due to bitter pit and breakdown. The reduction in bitter pit levels achieved by ethephon sprays was not mediated through effects on fruit Ca concentrations and alternative mechanisms associated with the advancement of fruit maturity are discussed.