Pre-harvest applications of calcium in post-harvest quality of 'Fuji' apples

摘要

> face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different numbers of calcium chloride (CaCl₂) application in the orchard during the fruit formation on the physico-chemical qualities of 'Fuji' apples after storage in controlled atmosphere (CA). The experiment was conducted in completely randomized design with five replications of 12 fruit. The evaluated treatments were: control, three, six and 9 applications of CaCl₂ (0.6%). Fruits were stored in AC with 1.2kPa of O₂ and 0.0kPa of CO₂ during 9.5 months at -0.5°C. The production of ethylene and respiration were measured at the 6th day at 20°C and the other parameters after 7 days exposure at 20°C. The number of CaCl₂ applications did not influence the acidity and fruit respiration. Nine applications provide greater flesh firmness and less decay incidence. The decay incidence showed inverse relationship with the flesh firmness. The increase in applications number of CaCl₂ decreased the ethylene production and increase the total solids soluble (TSS) of 'Fuji' apples after 9,5 months in CA.