01-2007 (colheita comercial); 15-01-2009, 22-01-2009 (colheita comercial), e 29-01-2009. Em 2007, frutos da terceira colheita foram armazenados em uma câmara fria comercial durante 22 dias, a 0,5ºC, e umidade relativa de 92% e mais cinco dias de exposição em condição ambiente (temperatura média de 23ºC e umidade relativa média de 60%). A aplicação pré-colheita de AVG (125 mg L -1 ), isoladamente ou GA 3 , ou GA 3 + AVG, retarda a maturação de ameixas 'Laetitia' na planta. O tratamento pré-colheita de ameixas 'Laetitia' com GA 3 , seguido da aplicação de AVG, manteve maior firmeza da polpa dos frutos após o armazenamento refrigerado. Termos para indexação: Prunus salicina, reguladores de crescimento, etileno.
MATURATION AND POSTHARVEST QUALITY OF 'LAETITIA'PLUMS WITH PREHARVEST TREATMENT OF AVG AND GA 3ABSTRACT -The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of preharvest spraying of Japanese plum trees (Prunus salicina, cv. Laetitia) with aminoethoxyvinilglycine [AVG; at 0, 90, and 125 mg L -1 ] and giberellic acid [GA 3 ; at 0 and 100 mg L -1 ] on maturation and fruit quality after cold storage. The experiment followed a randomized block design, with six treatments (three doses of AVG x two doses of GA 3 ) and four replicates. The sprayings with GA 3 and AVG were performed at 28 and seven days before first fruit harvesting, respectively. Experiment was carried out during the years of 2007 and 2009. Fruits were harvested 3 times, being 01/11/200701/11/ , 01/17/200701/11/ and 01/25/200701/11/ (commercial harvest) 200701/11/ , and 01/15/200901/11/ , 01/22/200901/11/ (commercial harvest) e 01/29/200901/11/ , in 200901/11/ . At 2007, fruits of the last harvest were stored in commercial cold storage during 22 days (0.5ºC/92% RH), followed by five days of shelf life (23ºC/60% RH). Delays in harvesting induces of fruit ripening, however preharvest treatment only with AVG (125 mg L -1 ) singly or GA 3 , followed or not by the application of AVG, delay fruit ripening of 'Laetitia' plums plant. Preharvest spraying of 'Laetitia' plum trees with GA 3 followed by the application of AVG preserves the consistence of the pulp fruit after cold storage.