1-Methylcyclopropene treatment modifies postharvest behavior of Fantasia nectarines

Abstract

DeEll, J. R., Murr, D. M. and Ehsani-Moghaddam, B. 2008. 1-Methylcyclopropene treatment modifies postharvest behavior of Fantasia nectarines. Can. J. Plant Sci. 88: 753Á758. The effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), an inhibitor of ethylene action, on the ripening and quality of Fantasia nectarines were examined. Fruit were harvested from two commercial orchards and subsequently exposed to 1 mL L(1 of 1-MCP for 24 h at 08C. Following treatment, fruit were held at 08C for 0, 2, or 4 wk, and then assessed for quality during a ripening period at 238C. 1-MCP treatment improved postharvest firmness retention in nectarines after 0 and 2 wk at 08C plus 4 days at 238C. Soluble solids concentration (SSC) was lower in nectarines treated with 1-MCP and held for 0 or 4 wk at 08C, compared with similar non-treated fruit. The peel ground color change from green to yellow was also delayed by 1-MCP. Nectarines treated with 1-MCP exhibited less CO 2 and hydrophobic volatile production during 14 days at 238C, compared with non-treated fruit. The overall inhibition of fruit ripening by 1-MCP appears transitory in Fantasia nectarines. Chilling injury was observed after 4 wk of storage at 08C and 1-MCP-treated fruit had less visual chilling-related injury but greater chilling-induced flesh hardening. Further research is needed to determine the effects of 1-MCP on different chilling injury symptoms in nectarines.

Comparative study on postharvest performance of nectarines grown under regulated deficit irrigation

“…it is well known that this molecule interacts with ethylene receptors and regulates ripening processes (Watkins, 2006). Its use in peach and nectarine was shown to maintain firmness and reduce the activity of cell wall-degrading enzymes (DeEll et al, 2008). This delay of senescence was also noticeable in skin ground color, which was highly correlated with the maintenance of firmness.…”