Preharvest Treatments Research Articles

Preharvest Use of γ-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) as an Innovative Treatment to Enhance Yield and Quality in Lemon Fruit

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) occurs naturally at a low concentration in fruits, but can be increased following several stress events, playing a physiological effect. Lemon trees were preharvest treated with GABA at three concentrations (10, 50, and 100 mM) during two consecutive seasons (2019–2020 and 2020–2021). Fruit growth (diameter) and crop yield (kg tree−1 and number of fruits tree−1) and quality traits were evaluated at harvest. Results showed that treatments were effective at increasing lemon size (a 5% higher) and yield, especially for GABA at 100 mM, for the two assayed seasons. Thus, yield was increased between 13 and 18% with respect to the control trees for the two harvest dates. With respect to the quality traits, GABA treatments did not impact any negative effects on the quality attributes, since the total soluble solids (7–8° Brix), total acidity (5–6 g 100 g−1), and fruit firmness (13–14 N mm−1) were similar to the control fruits. Therefore, GABA applied as preharvest treatment could be considered as a potent tool to enhance the yield of lemon fruits.

LED Continuous Lighting Reduces Nitrate Content in Brassicaceae Microgreens

The study was carried out to assess whether continuous lighting (CL) can be used to reduce nitrate content in Brassicaceae microgreens. Arugula (Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa), broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italic), mizuna (Brassica rapa var. nipposinica) and radish (Raphanus sativus var. radicula) seedlings were grown in the controlled climate chambers under 16 h or 24 h photoperiod provided by light-emitting diode (LED) or fluorescent (FLU) lamps. At the pre-harvest stage, half of microgreens were treated by CL for 3 days. The results show that nitrogen content was decreased significantly in plants grown under LED CL compared to plants grown under 16 h photoperiod. The highest decrease (by 40 %) was observed in arugula microgreens. In contrast, CL provided by FLU lamps had little effect (decrease by 11 and 6 %) on nitrate content in mizuna and broccoli and no effect in arugula and radish. Pre-harvest treatment by CL resulted in significant decrease of nitrate content in all four plant species. In conclusion, continuous LED lighting applied during microgreen cultivation or at the pre-harvest stage effectively reduces nitrate content in Brassicaceae microgreens.

Radiação e condições de temperatura pré colheita determinam a suscetibilidade dos frutos do tomate a danos causados pelo frio pós-colheita

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to improve the understanding about the relationship between solar radiation and temperature exposure during crop and tomato fruit susceptibility to postharvest chilling injury. Two preharvest treatments were applied: direct sunlight exposed plants (Ex) and shaded plants (Sh). After harvest, fruit were stored at 10⁰C and 4⁰C for ten days. Then, fruit were removed from the chambers and stored at room temperature for four days. Several determinations were carried out: total mineral and calcium content, fruit quality and postharvest parameters, ions leakage and thiobarbituric acid reactive species content and chilling injury index (CII). Ex fruit had higher values of chilling injury index than the Sh fruit, and at the same time, fruit under 4⁰C storage treatment presented a more marked damage than those stored at 10⁰C, demonstrating that accumulated radiation in the field, as a result of a higher solar radiation exposure, is a critical factor affecting postharvest chilling injury susceptibility. The lower calcium content in the Ex fruit could be one of the causes of their response to chilling.

Effect of pre-harvest spray of PGRs, calcium and cow urine on yield and quality of aonla fruit (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.)

Aonla or Indian gooseberry is an indigenous fruit to Indian subcontinents, which is regarded as amritphal. It is cultivated in India in 95000 ha area out of which more than 70% area is covered by cultivar NA-7. In north India, 30-80 percent of fruits are affected by brown spots. Such type of affected fruits has poor marketability and is not very suitable for processing purposes. Therefore, an investigation was carried out on the effect of the pre-harvest spray of PGRs, calcium, and cow urine. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications and nine treatments i.e., T1- control, T2- Salicylic Acid @ 2 mmol + Mulch, T3- Calcium Nitrate (CN) @1? + Mulch, T4- Benzyl Adenine (BA) @75 ppm+ Mulch, T5- Salicylic acid @2 mmol + BA (Benzyl Adenine) @75ppm + Mulch, T6- Salicylic acid @2 mmol + Calcium nitrate @1? + Mulch, T7- Calcium nitrate @1? + BA (Benzyl Adenine) @75ppm + Mulch, T8- Cow Urine @35? + Mulch, T9- Mulch on aonla fruit at the Main Horticulture Experiment Station, A.N.D.U.A and T, Kumarganj, Ayodhya during the year 2021-22. These treatments were sprayed twice on the aonla tree, in order to standardize the best pre-harvest treatment for improving the yield and quality of aonla fruits. Maximum fruits length (3.64cm), width (3.58cm), fruit weight (33.32g), fruit volume (30.23cm3), stone weight (2.18g), stone pulp ratios (14.62), fruit firmness (12.75 kg/cm3), yield (34.96 kg/tree), T.S.S. (10.33Brix0), total sugars (7.89%), reducing sugar (4.19%) and non-reducing sugars (3.70%), ascorbic acid (477mg/100g) and minimum blemished fruit (13%), and acidity (1.85%) were found with the treatment T8- Cow urine + mulch followed by T5- Salicylic acid + benzyl adenine + mulch.

THE INFLUENCE OF PRE-HARVEST TREATMENTS ON FRUITS QUALITY OF APPLE CULTIVARS (MALUS DOMESTICA BORKH.)

Apples fruit quality is mainly influenced by biotic and abiotic factors. Various possible pomological approaches are able to improve fruit quality and market value. Among these, techniques of fruit bagging and summer pruning have become an integral part of pomological practises in many countries, because it is a safe and eco-friendly technique to protect fruits from multiple stresses, preserving or improving the overall quality. The bagging consists essentially of enclosing a young fruit in a cardboard bag. Isolating the fruit from the external environment protects it during development from mechanical or biotic damage, especially in regions where fruits are prone to attacks by fungi, bacteria, insects and even birds. The expected increasing fruit skin color in comparison to non-bagged fruits can therefore correspond either to a reduction or an increase in color or even a greater homogeneity of the color itself.
 The aim of this research was to determine how the application of post-harvest aids affects the quality of fruits and storage capacity of three cultivars of late-ripening apples (Breaburn, Fuji and Pink Lady). Applying summer pruning and covering apple fruits with cardboard bags has a positive effect on increasing the surface of the complementary color on the skin of the fruit.In addition, the influence of these measures on the physical and chemical properties of the fruits after harvest and storage for a period of four months was examined. The experiment was set up in 2019 in a completely randomized design with five replications in the nine leaves old orchards of the Faculty of Agriculture in Belgrade. The used pre-harvest treatments influenced the increase in yield, fruit firmness, and chemical composition. The summer pruning of branches four weeks before harvesting significantly improve percentage of fruit skin color to all examined cultivars, while bagging of fruits only had increased of fruit skin to cultivar Breaburn. 

Evaluation of Different Insecticides Against Lesser Date Moth, Batrachedra amydraula Meyrick, 1916 (Lepidoptera: Batrachedridae) under Field Conditions

Evaluation of Different Insecticides Against Lesser Date Moth, Batrachedra amydraula Meyrick, 1916 (Lepidoptera: Batrachedridae) under Field Conditions

A comparative study of the effect of field practices on the fuel properties of groundnut kernels biodiesel

The impact of pre-harvest treatments (field practices) on the fuel (biodiesel) properties produced from groundnut kernels was evaluated in this work. Ahigh-quality oil-yielding groundnut hybrid (SAMNUT 11) was grown under five different soil treatment regimes. The regimes were organic and conventional, though the treatment concentrations were systematically varied. Biodiesels produced from matured kernels (for the different treatment plans) were tested following the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) International and European Biodiesel (EN) procedures. Results obtained revealed that the biodiesel density ranged between 856 kg/m3 and 869 kg/m3, the acid value ranged between 0.695% and 1.118%, the iodine value ranged from 27.54 mg/L to 34.63 mg/L, the phosphorus concentration varied from 8.21 mg/L to 10.25 mg/L, the ester content ranged between 91.87% and 98.34%, and the alkali metals varied from 2.143 mg/L to 3.428 mg/L. All biodiesel produced fromthe pre-harvest treated kernels met the EN-ISO 12185 and EN 14213 standards for densities and ester contents, respectively. It was observed that the T2 and T3 acid values were 0.871% and 0.695%, respectively, while the T4 and T5 acid values were 1.033% and 1.118%, respectively, and all failed to meet both ASTM and EN standards, though the organically produced kernel’s biodiesels had better prospects. Furthermore, it was observed that the iodine values of the biodiesels, obtained from the five treatment plans, were within the EN 14214 approved standards for biodiesel. The findings portrayed that the organic manure had a more positive impact on the groundnut kernels, compared to groundnut grown with fertilizers. As observed from the results, the biodiesel produced from the organic kernels hada better fuel quality than that acquired from the convectional kernels.

Effect of pre-harvest application of salicylic acid, potassium silicate, and calcium chloride, on storability and quality attributes of table grape

Pre-harvest application of potassium silicate, calcium chloride and salicylic acid as spraying treatments is a promising strategy for the management of fruit quality and exhibits a high potential in controlling post-harvest losses of horticultural crops. The aim of this study was to investigate the storability of ‘ARAA18’ cultivar after some pre-harvest treatments that were applied during two consecutive growing seasons. The ‘ARRA 18’ table grape variety is one of the ‘ARRA’ group varieties that have been recently introduced to Egypt. Treatments were applied as foliar sprays at three different stages during the growing season before harvest. The plants were sprayed with potassium silicate (K2SiO3), salicylic acid, and calcium chloride, while untreated vine trees sprayed with water served as control. Mature clusters were harvested, then placed in carton containers and stored in cold storage at 0±1 °C to study the storability of ‘ARRA18’. Records of physical and chemical quality parameters were taken at 7-day intervals. All treatments reduced weight loss, berry softening and decay incidence comparing to control under storage conditions. K2SiO3 generally showed the highest significant effect compared to other treatments and control. Hence, the use of (K2SiO3) at both applied concentrations and (SA) at 100 ppm, significantly proved to be the most effective treatments in keeping the overall quality of stored grapes.

Rheological Properties and Postharvest Behavior of Onion (Allium cepa L. 'Superex') Subjected to Different Preharvest Treatments to Control Armyworm [Spodoptera exigua (Hubner Lepidoptera: Noctuidae

Heavy reliance on synthetic pesticides has led to insecticide resistance of pests such as the onion armyworm, leading to the use of alternative strategies such as biopesticides. While studies on the efficacy of these biopesticides on pest control and yield exist, their subsequent effects on the quality and postharvest behavior of bulb onions during cold storage need to be determined. Allium cepa L. ‘Superex’ yellow type onion plants were subjected to preharvest treatments of microbial (NPV crude), botanical (neem oil), synthetic insecticide (chlorfenapyr), and Farmer’s Practice (control) for the control of onion armyworm (Spodoptera exigua (Hubner)). Bulbs were then harvested at commercial maturity, cured at ambient condition (33.6°C, 48.5% RH) for 11 d, then stored at 4.7 ± 0.6°C, 91.7 ± 1.6% RH for 5 mo. Rheological properties of the bulbs after curing and prior to storage did not vary significantly across treatments. Stiffness, however, decreased by 50 − 70% during storage, with bulbs from NPV crude having higher values. Weight loss during the 5-month storage ranged from 10 − 12%. Pungency of the bulb increased with increasing duration of cold storage concomitant with the onset of internal sprouting on the 5th mo. Bulbs preharvest-treated with NPV crude had the highest pungency of 4.85 μmol g-1FW on the third month and increased to 6.72 μmol g-1FW on the 4th mo. The preharvest treatments nor the storage duration did not affect the total soluble solids content of the bulbs which ranged from 6.9 − 7.1°Brix. Internal sprouting occurred on the 5th mo at 75 − 100% but external sprouting was very low at 0 − 1.0%. At ambient condition post-storage, it took 45 − 63 d for bulbs to exhibit external sprouting after being taken out of cold storage on the 4th mo. After 5 mo of cold storage, bulbs sprouted after 6 − 19 d at ambient condition. New root growth occurred on the 4th mo in all stored bulbs regardless of the preharvest treatment. Disease incidence during the 5-month storage was 0 − 1.1%. The recommended storage is 4 mo for the yellow type ‘Superex’ onions with bulbs having a shelf life of almost 2 mo at ambient retail condition (33.6°C, 48.5% RH).

Enhancing Berry Quality and Coloration of King Ruby Grapes by Some Preharvest Treatments

Enhancing Berry Quality and Coloration of King Ruby Grapes by Some Preharvest Treatments

Effects of Preharvest Shading on Dynamic Changes in Metabolites, Gene Expression, and Enzyme Activity of Three Tea Types during Processing.

Preharvest shading significantly influences tea flavor. However, little attention has been given to the mechanism of shading on metabolites, genes, and enzymes in the processing of different tea types. Our study identified 1028 nonvolatile metabolites covering 10 subclasses using a widely targeted metabolome. The results show that shading had a greater effect on the compositions of amino acids, flavonoids, and theaflavins in tea leaves. The combined transcriptomics and enzyme activity analysis results indicate that the upregulated expression of asparagine, aspartate, and tryptophan synthesis genes and proteolytic enzymes promoted the accumulation of amino acids. The downregulated enzyme genes resulted in the reduction of nongalloylated catechins and flavonoid glycosides. Simultaneously, the accumulation of TFs in shaded tea was due to the enhanced enzymatic activities of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase during processing. Theaflavin-3-3'-di-O-gallate was also significantly positively correlated with the antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities of shaded tea. The results contribute to a better understanding of how preharvest treatments influence summer tea quality.

Antifungal activity of natamycin against kiwifruit soft rot caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea and potential mechanisms

Soft rot caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea leads to massive economic losses in the kiwifruit industry. Natamycin is a natural antimicrobial preservative that effectively prevents postharvest decay and preserves fruit quality. However, the ability to control kiwifruit soft rot and potential antifungal mechanisms have not been explored. In this study, the inhibitory impact of natamycin against soft rot caused by B. dothidea, as well as its putative action mechanisms were investigated. The results indicated that 2 mg L−1 natamycin effectively inhibited mycelial growth and spore germination of B. dothidea in vitro. Natamycin caused B. dothidea hypha to shrink and deform, along with vacuolation and plasmolysis in hypha cells, as observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Likewise, natamycin stimulated the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the hypha. The inhibition effect of natamycin on B. dothidea inoculated in kiwifruit was dose-dependent, with 500 mg L−1 natamycin significantly decreasing the incidence of soft rot to 35%. Furthermore, natamycin induced disease resistance in kiwifruit tissue by activating the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), increasing the antioxidant compound total phenol, maintaining a low level of malondialdehyde (MDA), and repressing the activity of four cell wall degrading enzymes, as well as gene expression of β-galactosidase (β-Gal) and polygalacturonase (PG). Further field research revealed that pre-harvest treatment combined with the postharvest natamycin application significantly reduced the natural decay incidence of kiwifruit while having no negative effect on soft-ripe quality. In conclusion, our findings proved that natamycin has an antifungal effect on B. dothidea and may be applied as a safe preservative to reduce soft rot.

The Effect of Preharvest Application of Arginine on the Postharvest Quality of Sweet Cherry Fruits during Storage

ABSTRACT The quality of sweet cherry fruits decrease rapidly after harvest and in some cases does not reach the consumers properly due to the time require for transferring and market. Therefore, using chemical compounds is essential to increase durability and maintain its quality. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of arginine on postharvest quality of sweet cherry fruits. The sweet cherry fruits (Prunus avium L. cv TakDanehe Mashhad) were sprayed with arginine (0, 200, and 400 μM) one month before harvest. Fruits were harvested at commercial maturity stage according to acceptable color standards. After harvest, the fruits were transferred to the laboratory and immediately kept in cold storage with temperature of 1°C with 90–95% relative humidity (RH) for 20 days. The results showed that in treated fruits, electrolyte leakage, active oxygen production, and lipid peroxidation were decreased. The activity of antioxidant enzymes including ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase was increased compared to control. The treated fruits with arginine 400 µM showed the highest enzymatic activity during cold storage. The percentage of chilling injury and fresh weight loss in treated fruits has decreased comparing control fruits. According to the results lowest amount of pH observed in fruits treated with arginine 400 µM. Arginine increased the amount of titratable acid, soluble solids, and vitamin C, as well the firmness of fruits. As short, arginine preharvest treatment at 400 µM concentration improved the postharvest quality of sweet cherry fruits.

γ-Aminobutyric acid treatments of pomegranate trees increase crop yield and fruit quality at harvest

γ-Aminobutyric (GABA) is a non-protein amino acid that has been reported to affect different plant developmental processes, including delay of fruit senescence and maintenance of quality when applied as postharvest treatment. In this experiment, GABA treatments (10, 50 and 100 mM) were applied by foliar spray to ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranate trees at three key points of fruit development. Results showed that GABA treatments increased crop yield in a dose-dependent way, this effect being due to a higher number of fruit harvested per tree. In addition, GABA treatments led to a deeper red colour of pomegranate skin and arils, the highest effects being observed for 100 mM dose. Total phenolic and total anthocyanin concentrations were also increased by GABA treatment, while other quality parameters such as total soluble solids, total acidity or firmness were not affected by treatments. Then, GABA preharvest treatment, applied at 100 mM, could be a useful tool to increase the economic profit of pomegranate crop, since higher yield and fruit with higher colour were obtained, which is an important quality parameter for this cultivar. In addition, aril total phenolics and anthocyanin content were increased, which would lead to enhance the antioxidant properties and health benefits for consumers.

Effect of various pre-harvest treatments on shelf life and morphological characteristics of fruits of mango (Mangifera indica L.) var. ‘Amrapali’

The mango is considered as ‘king of fruits’ in India due to its delicious taste and nutritional status. Extension of fruit shelf life is a prime importance for availability of fresh fruit in market for longer duration and distance transportation. India is the largest producer and a prominent exporter of mango in the world.In this context, the study was conducted to evaluate the effect of preharvest spray of different chemicals and plant growth regulators (PGRs) on mango var. ‘Amrapali’ for shelf life and its quality. As ‘Amrapali’ has regular bearer with very good flavor and taste with a late maturing character, selected for shelf life studies. The fruits of mango weresprayed with chemicals viz. CaCl2 1%, CaCl2 2%, Ca(NO3)2 1%, Ca(NO3)2 2%, KNO3 1%, KNO3 2%, GA3 25 mg/l, GA3 50 mg/l, Ethrel 0.1 ml/l and Ethrel 0.2 ml/l prior to harvest. After harvesting, fruits were stored under ambient storage condition. Among all the treatments, GA3 25 mg/l treatment recorded significantly highest fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit volume and fruit weight at harvest and at fully ripe stage. Application of CaCl22% resulted in significantly minimum physiological loss in weight consistently from 2nd day to 16th day of storage besides significantly highest shelf life and quality. Hence, this intervention can contribute in preserving physical and chemical quality attributes for maximum acceptance by consumers.

The preharvest application of Aureobasidium pullulans S2 remodeled the microbiome of tomato surface and reduced postharvest disease incidence of tomato fruit

Microbial communities associated with plants are vital to regulating plant growth and controlling disease, although their potential functions have not been fully explained. The study of plant microbiome can help understand the microbial community structure. Thus, directional induction and remodeling microbial communities could reduce postharvest diseases and preserve fruit quality. This study employed high-throughput sequencing to determine whether the fungal and bacterial communities on tomato surface were changed due to preharvest treatment with Aureobasidium pullulans S2. At the same time, postharvest diseases, fruit quality, and surface microbial communities were examined during storage. The results showed that with the preharvest application of A. pullulans S2, significant changes were observed in fungal and bacterial communities of tomato during storage, including an increased fungal alpha diversity, shifts in community composition and structure (removed the abundance of Aureobasidium). Several potentially beneficial genera, Papiliotrema, Oidiodendron, Chloridium, Simplicillium, Methylobacterium and Acinetobacter, were found by analysis of the relationship between microbial taxa with fruit decay incidence and significantly enriched genera in the treatment group during storage. The functions of these taxa on tomatoes require further investigation, which will be helpful for directional regulation of the microbial composition in fruit and vegetables to achieve sustainable disease control strategies.

Use of exogenous salicylic acid in the preharvest treatment of olive tree to enrich olive fruits in antioxidants

Use of exogenous salicylic acid in the preharvest treatment of olive tree to enrich olive fruits in antioxidants

Impact of Certain Fungicides and Calcium Nitrate on Quality and Shelf Life of Kinnow Mandarin

An experiment was carried out at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during the year 2019-20 to study the effect of different fungicides and calcium nitrate on the quality and shelf life of Kinnow mandarin”. A spray of carbendazim, copper oxychloride, mancozeb, propiconazole, nimbecidine, calcium nitrate, and their combinations were done ten days prior to harvesting on ten years old Kinnow plants. When compared to fruits from untreated plants, the fruits from plants treated with fungicides, nimbecidine, calcium nitrate, and their mixtures showed much less rotting. The most successful treatment for preventing fruit rot after harvest was carbendazim 0.05% + calcium nitrate 1%, followed by propiconazole 0.05% + calcium nitrate 1%. with various pre-harvest treatments, it was discovered that the Total dissolved solids (TSS), acidity, TSS/acid ratio, reducing sugar, non-reducing sugar, and total sugar of Kinnow fruits were not significantly affected. Among all the treatments, the maximum ascorbic acid content (24.10 mg/100 ml of juice) was reported in mancozeb 0.2% + calcium nitrate 1% and propiconazole 0.05% + calcium nitrate 1% during storage in Kinnow fruits. The most prominent pathogens associated with decay loss were identified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Diplodia natalensis and Penicillium sp. during the storage period.

Effect of regulated deficit irrigation and partial root zone drying regimes on the shelf life of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivar Dashehari

A two-year study was undertaken in the Division of Fruit Science, SKUAST-J, to examine the effect of differential irrigation regimes as pre-harvest treatments (regulated deficit irrigation and partial root-zone drying) on the shelf life of mango grown in open field conditions. Maximum physiological weight loss (21.06% and 21.10%) and decay loss (51.00% and 52.20%) was recorded under treatment T10 (no irrigation) whereas, minimum was recorded in treatment T9. The fruit moisture was recorded maximum in T7 (77.46 % and 77.72 %) whereas T10 recorded minimum (70.55% and 70.83%) fruit moisture during 2017 and 2018, respectively. Both years recorded maximum fruit firmness in T9 (21.62 and 22.47 lb/in2) and minimum in T10 (14.61 and 15.46 lb/in2). On a mean value basis maximum fruit moisture content and fruit firmness was recorded on 0 day of storage which decreased significantly and continuously upto 10th the day of storage. In contrast, minimum PLW content was recorded on 2nd day of storage which increased significantly and constantly up to 10th the day of storage and minimum decay loss content was recorded on 6th day of storage which increased significantly and continuously upto 10th the day of storage during 2017 and 2018, respectively.

The effect of pre-harvest treatment of calcium nitrate and iron chelate on post-harvest quality of apple (Malus domestica Borkh cv. Red Delicious)

Enhancing the nutrition of fruit trees and crops with chemical fertilizers is one of the most important tools to increase production and improve crop quality during the harvest stage. In East Azerbaijan, apples are grown on calcareous soils, and managing tree nutrition is a precursor to increasing fruit yield and post-harvest fruit quality. A factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design in a Red Delicious apple orchard to investigate whether the application of calcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2) at 50, 100, and 150 g tree−1 and iron (Fe) chelate (6% Fe) at (10, 20, and 30 mL tree-1) to the soil are beneficial. The fertilizers were applied at three times during fruit development: stage of cell division in young fruit, stage of peak rate of cell expansion and starch accumulation, and stage of cell expansion and the beginning of starch decline. The addition of Ca(NO3)2 and Fe-chelate affected fruit yield and fruit traits in storage, including total carbohydrate, pH, phenol, ripening index (TSS/TA), TSS, TA, fruit firmness, and weight loss. Fertilizer application also altered the concentration of some mineral nutrients in leaves and fruits. There was an interaction between storage time × Ca× Fe on fruit firmness, total carbohydrate, TSS, pH, and TA fruit. Fertilization with Fe-chelate increased fruit Ca and leaf Fe. Overall, the combination of 50 g Ca(NO3)2 and 30 mL Fe-chelate is recommended for apple orchardists in this part of Iran.