Preharvest Treatments Research Articles

Investigating the involvement of ABA, ABA catabolites and cytokinins in the susceptibility of 'Nules Clementine' mandarin to rind breakdown disorder.

'Nules Clementine' mandarin was used to investigate the potential involvement of endogenous plant hormones in mediating citrus fruit susceptibility to rind breakdown disorder (RBD). The effect of light exposure (namely canopy position and bagging treatments) on the endogenous concentration of ABA, 7'-hydroxy-abscisic acid (7-OH-ABA), ABA-glucose ester (ABA-GE) and dihydrophaseic acid (DPA), and t-zeatin was tested using four preharvest treatments: outside, outside bagged, inside and inside bagged. Phytohormones concentration was evaluated during nine weeks of postharvest storage at 8°C. The shaded fruit inside the canopy had the highest RBD score (0.88) at the end of postharvest storage, while sun-exposed fruit had the lowest score (0.12). Before storage, ABA concentration was lowest (462.8µg kg-1 ) for inside fruit, and highest in outside bagged fruit (680.5µg kg-1 ). Although ABA concentration suddenly increased from the third week, reaching a maximum concentration of 580 µg kg-1 at week 6 in fruit from inside position, it generally reduced 1.6-fold ranging from 240.52 to 480.65 µg kg-1 throughout storage. The increase of 7-OH-ABA was more prominent in fruit from inside canopy. Overall, the concentration of ABA-GE increased three-fold with storage time. DPA concentration of bagged fruit from inside canopy position was significantly higher compared to outside fruit. The lower ABA-GE and higher DPA concentration in inside bagged fruit throughout storage also coincided with higher RBD. The strong positive correlations between 7-OH-ABA, DPA and RBD incidence demonstrated that these ABA catabolites could be used as biomarkers for fruit susceptibility to the disorder. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Postharvest Dips of Persimmon Fruit in Gibberellic Acid: An Efficient Treatment to Improve Storability and Reduce Alternaria Black Spot

In Israel, fruit softening during storage and the occurrence of Alternaria black spot (ABS) disease, caused by Alternaria alternata, are the main postharvest factors that reduce quality and impair storability of persimmon fruit. The pathogen causing ABS infects the fruit in the orchard and remains quiescent until harvest, or renews its development just before harvest but mainly during storage. A preharvest spray with 50 µg·L−1 gibberellin (GA3) significantly improved fruit storability, as determined by fruit firmness and levels of ABS. While GA3 treatments have been commercially applied for more than 30 years, significant limitations of the use of the preharvest treatment like enhancing the risk of a reduced yield have been described. Recent findings suggested that postharvest dip treatments with increased concentrations of GA3 also delayed fruit softening and reduced ABS to similar levels to the commercially applied preharvest treatment in persimmon fruit stored for 3 months at 0 °C. Postharvest GA3 dip treatments at concentrations ranging from 500 to 1500 µg·L−1 were similarly more efficient in the prevention of fruit softening and ABS development than the 50 µg·L−1 preharvest spray. Present results indicated that postharvest GA3 treatment physiologically affects fruit firmness and susceptibility to ABS during storage.

INFLUENCE OF PRE-HARVEST SALICYLIC AND SOME AMINO ACIDS TREATMENTS ON QUALITY ATTRIBUTES OF PEAR FRUITS CV. LE-CONTE DURING COLD STORAGE AND SHELF LIFE

This study aimed to determine the relationship between preharvest treatments by salicylic acid, Larginine and L-tryptophan with fruit quality of pear cv. Le-Conte during cold storage at 0◦C and 9095% RH for 12 weeks followed by shelf life at 22◦C for 12 days. Treatments included L-arginine at 100 and 200 ppm, L-tryptophan at 50 and 100 ppm, salicylic acid at 100 and 200 ppm and water as control, all treatments were sprayed on mature trees until run off twice; at full bloom stage and at initial fruit set stage. All conducted treatments were effective in maintaining fruit quality compared with control. Tryptophan at 100 ppm showed the highest significant TSS values, while salicylic acid at 200 ppm showed the lowest significant TSS values during cold storage and shelf life circumstances. Salicylic acid at 100 and 200 ppm showed the lowest weight loss percentages, salicylic at 200 ppm decreased the rate of decay incidence, showed the lowest significant respiration rates, also it was effective in alleviating core browning. In addition, salicylic acid at 200 ppm significantly maintained firmness of fruits, and showed higher h° value of fruits peel, ascorbic acid concentrations, total phenols content and antioxidant capacity values of LeConte pear fruits. Preharvest treatments by salicylic acid, L-arginine and L-tryptophan positively influenced postharvest fruit quality, salicylic acid at 200 ppm effectively maintained fruit quality during cold storage and shelf life.

Effect of Pre-Harvest Treatments of Peach Trees on Fruits Quality Characters during Cold Storage

This research was carried out during two successive seasons of 2016 and 2017 to study the effect of pre-harvest treatments on peach trees on fruits quality at harvest time and during cold storage at 5±1°C and 80-85% RH. The selected trees for this study were chosen from locally Mit-Ghamer peach trees(cv. Medium Sultani), grown in a private orchard at Fesha-Bana village, Aga Center, Dakahllia governorate, Egypt. The selected trees of peach (cv. Medium Sultani) were sprayed Pre-harvest (1.5 month after full bloom) with one of the followings: tap water (control), 1.5% potassium sulphate (K2SO4), 2% calcium chloride (CaCl2) and the combination of them. The harvested mature fruits were cold stored at 5 ± 1°C and 80-85% relative humidity (RH) for a storage period of 24 days. Some physical and chemical quality characteristics were measured on the intact treated fruits at harvest date and at 6-day-intervals during cold storage up to 24 days. The obtained results showed that the peach fruits sprayed with 1.5% K2SO4 recorded the highest values of firmness, Vitamin C content and TSS% after 6, 12 and 18 days during The cold storage in both seasons. While, peach trees sprayed with 2% CaCl2 gave the highest values of fruit firmness at harvest time and after 24 days of cold storage, and the lowest value of fruits decay incidence%, TSS% and anthocyanin content in fruit skin in all storage periods of both seasons. Applying the combination treatment of 1.5 % K2SO4 and 2% CaCl2 showed the highest values of vitamin C, acidity and total sugars%, anthocyanin and pectic substances contents as well as the lowest value of TSS/acid ratio and weight loss% of fruit at 18 and 24 days of cold storage in both seasons. However, the opposite trends were true for the control treatment. Finally, it can be recommended applying the combination spray of 1.5 % K2SO4 and 2 % CaCl2 on peach trees at pre-harvest (1.5 month after full bloom) to improve maintaining physical and chemical qualities of peach fruits during cold storage up to 24 days.

Preharvest treatment of Agaricus bisporus with methyl jasmonate inhibits postharvest deterioration

Rapid deterioration is a serious problem in postharvest storage of Agaricus bisporus (A. bisporus). Hence, measures to improve shelf-life of the mushroom are of great importance. This study analyzed the effect of preharvest treatment of A. bisporus with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on the postharvest storage quality. Appearance and texture characteristics were determined during a 10-day storage period at 4 °C, and the results showed that MeJA improved the appearance of A. bisporus by inhibiting browning and color variation. Additionally, weight loss and cellulose content were inhibited in MeJA-treated groups. Consequently, MeJA maintained a dense microstructure and alleviated the decline of fracturability and springiness of the mushroom. Thus, MeJA inhibited deterioration and prolonged postharvest storage period of A. bisporus by enhancing appearance and texture characteristics. These results provide important information on improving postharvest quality in the A. bisporus cultivation industry.

Postharvest quality implications of preharvest treatments applied to enhance Ambrosia™ apple red blush colour at harvest

Two approaches for enhancing red blush in Ambrosia™ apple were evaluated: (i) reflective row covers or (ii) application of foliar phosphorus-rich sprays, both applied several weeks before anticipated harvest. Two experiments were conducted, the first to evaluate a white reflective row cover versus foliar phosphorus spray, and the second to evaluate two types of reflective row cover, one made of a woven white polyethylene sheet and the other a solid silvered Mylar®. The comparative effects of these preharvest treatments on at-harvest fruit quality and quality after storage were assessed in both experiments. It was determined that foliar phosphorus sprays or one of the two types of reflective row covers resulted in similar enhancement of red blush colour, with no negative effects on at-harvest quality. However, in the first experiment it was found that after 8 mo of controlled-atmosphere storage (1 kPa O2 + 1 kPa CO2 at 0.5 °C), apples from the phosphorus foliar spray treatment developed greasiness and sooty blotch compared with those from the reflective row cover or control treatments. In the second experiment, after 5 mo of air storage at 0.5 °C, the apples from the silvered Mylar® reflective row cover treatment developed severe soft scald and soggy breakdown compared with the control and white reflective row cover treatments, which developed lower or very slight incidence of soft scald, respectively, and no soggy breakdown. These results indicate that when preharvest treatments are applied to apples, post-storage quality effects should be evaluated.

Herbicide Options for Control of Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) and Common Waterhemp (Amaranthus rudis) in Double-Crop Soybean

AbstractDouble-crop soybean after winter wheat is a component of many cropping systems across eastern and central Kansas. Until recently, control of Palmer amaranth and common waterhemp has been both easy and economical with the use of sequential applications of glyphosate in glyphosate-resistant soybean. Many populations of Palmer amaranth and common waterhemp have become resistant to glyphosate. During 2015 and 2016, a total of five field experiments were conducted near Manhattan, Hutchinson, and Ottawa, KS, to assess various non-glyphosate herbicide programs at three different application timings for the control of Palmer amaranth and waterhemp in double-crop soybean after winter wheat. Spring-POST treatments of pyroxasulfone (119 g ai ha–1) and pendimethalin (1065 g ai ha–1) were applied to winter wheat to evaluate residual control of Palmer amaranth and waterhemp. Less than 40% control of Palmer amaranth and waterhemp was observed in both treatments 2 wk after planting (WAP) double-crop soybean. Preharvest treatments of 2,4-D (561 g ae ha–1) and flumioxazin (107 g ai ha–1) were also applied to the winter wheat to assess control of emerged Palmer amaranth and waterhemp. 2,4-D resulted in highly variable Palmer amaranth and waterhemp control, whereas flumioxazin resulted in control similar to PRE treatments that contained paraquat (841 g ai ha–1) plus residual herbicide(s). Excellent control of both species was observed 2 WAP with a PRE paraquat application; however, reduced control of Palmer amaranth and waterhemp was noted 8 WAP due to subsequent emergence. Results indicate that Palmer amaranth and waterhemp control was 85% or greater 8 WAP for PRE treatments that included a combination of paraquat plus residual herbicide(s). PRE treatments that did not include both paraquat and residual herbicide(s) did not provide acceptable control.

Pre-harvest and storage treatment of botanicals on Callosobruchus Chinensis (L.) in black gram

Pre-harvest and storage treatment of botanicals on <i>Callosobruchus Chinensis</i> (L.) in black gram

Comparison of non-anthocyanin polyphenol accumulation in the berry skins of muscadine and European grapes during ripening in China.

The non-anthocyanin polyphenol accumulation in the berry skins of muscadine grapes from South China during ripening was investigated, in comparison to European grapes, for two consecutive years, using ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem triple quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. A total of 121 components were tentatively identified, consisting of 48 ellagic acids and precursors (EP), 38 flavonols, 20 hydroxybenzoic acids, 6 hydroxycinnamic acids, 5 flavan-3-ols, and 4 stilbenes. EP (mostly ellagic acid derivatives) and flavonols (mainly isorhamnetin and quercetin derivatives) were, respectively, accumulated abundantly in the muscadine and European grape skins. Additionally, their variation had considerable differences during berry maturation. EP in muscadine cv. "Noble" skins showed a small decrease before veraison and a slight increase post-veraison, yet the flavonols significantly increased as berry maturation in European skins, with a few exceptions. This is the interactional result between genotype and environmental factors, which obviously influences the polyphenol composition and concentration. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Muscadine grapes, indigenous to the southeast of United States, have been introduced to South China in recent years. These grapes have unique polyphenol composition that differs from non-muscadine grapes. Their polyphenol properties have been studied extensively in many but there are a few studies in our knowledge about the variation of these compounds at different berry developmental stages. This article evaluates the accumulation of non-anthocyanin polyphenols in muscadine skins during berry maturation, in comparison to European grapes. The findings exhibit the polyphenol characteristics of these grapes cultivated in new locations across South China, and make further efforts to increase breeding quality and agronomic production, through improving preharvest treatments and agronomic performance during berry developmental stages, that lead to a high increase of polyphenol.

Nitrate control using LED lights

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) have become very efficient light sources for application in horticulture. Light sources based on LEDs are relatively easy to control in intensity and spectrum. Light-source optimization allows growth efficiency and quality of leafy greens to be influenced, especially the nutrient content. Leafy green vegetables contain relatively high concentrations of nitrate compared with other foods, and constitute a significant source of dietary nitrate to the consumer. Because of health concerns, nitrate content is regulated in Europe. Nitrate levels in vegetables grown in plant factories or greenhouses can be reduced significantly with an appropriate light strategy. In this paper, we present such a strategy, as well as results that show that, with optimized light recipes, the level of nitrate at harvest can be controlled, while the growth efficiency can be kept high. When grown in a closed environment without daylight, we have found that the daily light integral has a strong influence on the final nitrate level. For an optimum daily light integral, we have found that using a continuous pre-harvest light treatment for 2-5 days before harvesting can significantly reduce the nitrate level in lettuce. Light composed of red and blue or red and white can achieve a similar reduction of the nitrate level for various cultivars of baby-leaf lettuce. We present several results on lettuce, spinach and rocket. We also discuss how to achieve extremely low nitrate levels (<500 mg kg-1) and how to find the optimum light sum and spectrum during growth or pre-harvest treatment in combination with an adapted irrigation strategy. Finally, we applied our findings in a greenhouse trial during winter and compare the results with those obtained under plant factory growth conditions.

The effectiveness of AVG used in a single and combined application with NAA against preharvest fruit drop in apple

The results of four experiments carried out in years 2007, 2008 and 2010 in the Research Institute of Horticulture in Skierniewice on the apple cultivars ‘Gala Must’ and ‘Ligol’ are presented. The preparations ReTain® (as formulation VBC-30033) containing AVG (aminoethoxyvinylglycine) and Pomonit Super 050SL (as salt of NAA with triethanoloamine) were used against preharvest fruit drop by spraying the trees alone and subsequently. Retain® was used 4 weeks before anticipated harvest at two doses: 180 and 360 mg L-1, and Pomonit Super one week before harvest at 20 or 40 mg L-1. The effect on the dynamics of fruit drop, on fruit quality at harvest and after storage, as well as on shoot growth and subsequent flowering was determined. In all experiments it was found that the lowest number of apples abscised before the harvest when both preparations were used at half of optimal doses, respectively, at four and one week earlier. The efficiency of subsequent use of preparations was better than the use of ReTain® alone at twice higher dose (optimal). The effect on preharvest fruit drop of low dose of ReTain® used alone was too weak. No significant effect of preharvest treatments with ReTain® and Pomonit Super on the total yield of apples, and on the average fruit weight was found. However, in 2008 in both cultivars the combined treatment with low doses of ReTain® and Pomonit Super, caused distinct increase in percentage of large apples (>70 mm diameter), while other treatments with preparations have no effect on the distribution of apple in the individual classes of fruit size and on average fruit weight. The effect of both preparations on other parameters of apple quality depended on the cultivar. Treatment with ReTain® alone at high and at low dose, but combined with NAA, caused a significant reduction of red color of apples in ‘Gala Must’, but significant increase in flesh firmness at harvest and after storage. However, on the cultivar ‘Ligol’ no effect on red color of apples and reduction of firmness was found. In 2010 it was also shown that before the harvest, abscission could be avoided by twice application of Retain® 40 days before anticipated harvest and Pomonit Super 10 days before anticipated harvest, both in doses reduced by half as compared to what was previously recommended.

A Fundamental Study for Pre-harvest Treatment System with an Onion Stem Cutter and a Plastic Mulch Wrapper

A Fundamental Study for Pre-harvest Treatment System with an Onion Stem Cutter and a Plastic Mulch Wrapper

Effect of protocatechuic acid (PCA) and abscisic acid (ABA) preharvest treatment for sprouting inhibition and storage temperature for garlic (Allium sativumL.) on the PCA and ABA residue in relation to bulb dormancy

Effect of protocatechuic acid (PCA) and abscisic acid (ABA) preharvest treatment for sprouting inhibition and storage temperature for garlic (<i>Allium sativum</i>L.) on the PCA and ABA residue in relation to bulb dormancy

Pre-Harvest Treatment of Chitosan Oligosaccharides Improved Strawberry Fruit Quality.

Chitosan oligosaccharide (COS), derived through hydrolysis of chitosan, has been proved to be an effective plant immunity elicitor, eco-friendly, and easily soluble in water, and influenced several secondary metabolites content to improve fruit qualities. COS are widely used in agriculture to improve the defense response in plants. The purpose of this study was to investigate the pre-harvest treatment effect of COS on the quality of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa cv. qingxiang). COS was dissolved in distilled water at a concentration of 50 mg·L−1 and sprayed at four different growth stages of strawberry plants, namely seedling stage, before flowering, fruit coloring (the stage of fruit from white to red) and full bloom. Uniform size, shape, color, without any visible damage, and disease-free fruits were harvested for determining the quality. The results showed that the fruit firmness, viscosity, lignin, sugars, protein, total soluble solid, and titratable acidity content increased in COS-treated fruits compared to control. In addition, COS pre-harvest treatment had a positive effect on anthocyanin, total phenol, flavonoid, vitamin C content and DPPH(2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging activity of strawberry. Moreover, COS also increased the cell wall composition and regulated gene expression of some important enzymes involved in ethylene compound biosynthesis and cell wall degradation. The finding of this study suggests that pre-harvest application of COS is very useful for improving quality and antioxidant capacity of strawberry.

An effective methodology for simultaneous quantification of thiophanate-methyl, and its metabolite carbendazim in pear, using LC-MS/MS

Herein we have developed an optimized analytical method for the simultaneous quantification of a fungicide, thiophanate-methyl, and its metabolite, carbendazim, in pear cultivated under open-field conditions using liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Due to the problem of partitioning associated with using acetonitrile and salts, methanol was used for sample extraction; the extract was then filtered using a vacuum filter, and cleaned-up using C18 QuEChERS bulk sorbent following dispersive solid-phase extraction (d-SPE) procedure. Since a common problem, “matrix effect”, associated with the matrix was observed in LC-MS/MS, calibration curves for both thiophanate-methyl and carbendazim were constructed in the matrix using seven different concentration levels. Excellent linearity was observed, with determinant coefficient (R2) ≥ 0.9990. The limits of quantification (LOQs) were ≤0.02 mg/kg, satisfactory in terms of the maximum residue limits. Methods were validated at two fortification concentrations (10 × LOQ and 50 × LOQ); the experiments were repeated three times for each level and the average recoveries were 75.00–84.92%, with the coefficient of variation (CV) being ≤5.78%. The developed analytical method was applied to pear samples previously sprayed with commercial thiophanate-methyl formulation four times on different days during pre-harvest treatment. The parent compound was converted to its metabolites and the total residues degraded continuously until harvest. The data obtained in this study could help set safety guidelines for thiophanate-methyl in pear.

In vitro antifungal and anti-ochratoxigenic activities of Aloe vera gel against Aspergillus carbonarius isolated from grapes

The basic objective of this study lies in determining the physico-chemical characteristics of Aloe vera gel in freshly harvested leaves, as well as evaluating its efficiency in terms of inhibiting the growth and ochratoxin A (OTA) production by Aspergillus carbonarius. The antifungal evaluation was performed by compound dissolution at the doses of 5, 10, 20, 30 and 50% in Czapek Yeast Agar medium (CYA). Our results revealed that Aloe vera gel did not display a pronounced antifungal effect on the growth of A. carbonarius. It rather showed a high anti-ochratoxigenic activity. Statistical analyses on growth rate of the fungus demonstrated that the main effect on mycelial growth was recorded at 50% of Aloe vera gel with an inhibition rate estimated at about 11.59%. At tested concentrations, Aloe vera gel could not totally inhibit the OTA production of fungus but only reduce it by 22.47–75.69% depending on concentration. However, this reduction was not positively correlated with the increase of the Aloe vera gel in the medium. The most important reduction on OTA synthesis was recorded at 20% of Aloe vera gel although no growth reduction was detected at this concentration. Overall, our results suggest that the concentration of Aloe vera gel should be between 20 and 30% to ensure an active inhibition of OTA production by A. carbonarius. This finding provides sound evidence that the use of Aloe vera gel as a biological pre-harvest treatment at the vineyard level is an effective, feasible and welcomed strategy.

Effect of preharvest application of tea tree oil on strawberry fruit quality parameters and possible disease resistance mechanisms

Abstract Strawberries were sprayed with 1.4 mL L−1 of tea tree oil (TTO) 6, 3, and 0 d before harvest to investigate the effects of preharvest TTO treatment on fruit quality parameters. The results showed that TTO treatment reduces the incidence of natural decay and delays the loss of firmness during storage at 20 °C for 5 d. TTO treatment has no effect on total soluble solids content or titratable acidity. Preharvest treatment with TTO reduces the number of microorganisms on the surface of fruit at harvest, reduces H2O2 accumulation by increasing the activities of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase, and increases β-1,3-glucanase activity by the first day postharvest. Treated fruits also accumulate more phenolics as a result of increased phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity. A total of 188 differentially expressed proteins were identified by comparing untreated and TTO-treated fruit using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ). Of these, 29 were more abundant and 159 were less abundant in TTO-treated fruit. Three proteins related to cell wall metabolism were down-regulated by TTO treatment, while 4 proteins involved in stress response were up-regulated. Therefore, TTO treatment prior to harvest effectively controls postharvest decay in strawberries by reducing microorganisms at harvest, delaying fruit senescence, and inducing defense responses.

Pre-harvest CaCl2 and GA3 treatments improve postharvest quality of green bell peppers (Capsicum annum L.) during storage period

Abstract The present study investigated the effects of CaCl2 (0.5%) and GA₃ (0.05 g L−1) pre-harvest treatments both at two (2T) and three spraying times (3T) on some qualitative characteristics of green bell pepper stored for 0, 10 and 20 d at 1 and 10 °C. The purpose of this study was to mitigate postharvest lesions and increase chilling injury resistance in peppers. Weight loss, firmness, total soluble solids (TSS), vitamin C (VitC), phenolics, electrolyte leakage (EL), malondialdehyde (MDA), chilling injury, chlorophyll and calcium contents, peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and antioxidant activities were measured. The highest and lowest weight losses were observed after 20 d at 1 and 10 °C on control and CaCl2 treatments respectively. The highest (30.8 at 1 and 21.4 N at 10 °C) and lowest (23.5 at 1 and 14.2 N at 10 °C) firmness was measured in fruit from the CaCl2 (3T) treatment and control, respectively. The amount of VitC and phenolics were higher in the control compared to all other treatments. After 20 d, the highest amount of MDA and EL, as well as the lowest amounts of calcium were measured in the control, gibberellin and calcium treatments, respectively. Chilling injury increased after 20 d of storage at 1 °C. However, all treatments with no significant difference had less chilling injury and TSS and more antioxidant enzymes (POD and CAT) and chlorophyll than the control. The results reveal that all CaCl2 and GA₃ treatments increased overall quality of pepper at harvest time and preserved the quality and reduced the chilling injury during the storage period. Hence, these treatments can be commercially effective strategy to improve shelf life and maintain the quality of green bell pepper fruit during harvest and postharvest.

Preharvest treatment with 1-aminoethoxyvinylglycine and gibberellin on the quality and physiology of cashew peduncles

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of the preharvest treatment with gibberellic acid (GA3) and aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) on the quality and physiological attributes of ripe 'CCP 76' cashew (Anacardium occidentale) peduncles at different developmental stages. Sprays of 180 mg L-1 GA3 and 180 mg L-1 AVG were applied, combined and isolated, at 34, 40, and 44 days after anthesis (DAA), and peduncles were harvested ripe at 46 DAA and evaluated for physical and physiological variables. The treatment with GA3 resulted in firmer peduncles with a greater apical diameter, but did not affect the physiological variables activity of the pectin methylesterase and polygalacturonase cell wall enzymes and degree of lipid peroxidation of the biological membranes, nor the physical attributes total mass (peduncles and nut) and nut size. At early developmental stages (34 DAA), GA3 increased the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase, and, at later stages (40 DAA), promoted polyphenol and carotenoid accumulation. The application of AVG at the final stages (44 DAA) provided greater total antioxidant activity, despite the lower ascorbate peroxidase activity. The application of GA3 pre-harvest increases the firmness and diameter of the cashew peduncles, and the treatment with AVG increases the total antioxidant activity of the peduncles.

Effect of Some Pre-harvest Treatments on Yield and Fruit Quality of "Swelling" Peach Trees

Effect of Some Pre-harvest Treatments on Yield and Fruit Quality of "Swelling" Peach Trees