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This study was carried out on 'Cardinal' peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) between 2003 and 2005 in Bornova, in Izmir, Turkey to study the effects of irrigation, gibberellic acid (GA 3 ) and nitrogen (urea) on the physiological disorders split or shattered pit, double fruit and fruit quality. Irrigation treatments that were tested included 100% (no water stress) and 20% (water stress) replenishment of water depleted from the 100% replenishment treatment at 60 cm soil profile at 10-day intervals. GA 3 and nitrogen (urea) were applied to trees during the flower bud differentiation period at doses of 100 mg L(1 and 900 mg L(1 , respectively. Irrigation, nitrogen and gibberellic acid exerted a significant influence on fruit disorders and quality of peach cv. 'Cardinal'. Although the rate of double fruit was increased by water stress, GA 3 and nitrogen application decreased it. Irrigation (100%) during the final swell phase of fruit development accelerated the occurrence of split and shattered pit. Application of nitrogen and gibberellic acid or both to the trees with no water stress resulted in the lowest number of fruits with physiological disorders. Fruit quality characteristics, except for titratable acidity, were not significantly altered by the treatments.

Covering the grapevine rows to delay the maturity and harvest date became widely practiced in 'Sultana Seedless' vineyards. The research work was conducted to test different cover materials (polypropylene cross-stitch, life pack, mogul and transparent polyethylene) in respect to their effects on grape quality and storability. Harvest was delayed for one month in covered plots. Harvested grapes were packed and transferred to storage rooms after pre-cooling. During packing, the grape clusters were sealed in PE bags with sulphur dioxide pads. The grapes were stored for 90 days in the first year and 120 days in the second year, at -0.5°C and 90% RH. All the grape clusters were healthy and of marketable quality after 90 days of storage period. In the first year, at the end of the storage, only those grapes harvested from the rows covered with polypropylene cross-stitch showed fungal growth. The sensory quality scores revealed a lower level of preference after 120 days of storage. The effects of the covering materials tested were similar regarding grape quality and storage performance except the transparent polyethylene that damaged the grapevine leaves.

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