The Effect of Non-Root Treatments on the Apple Fruits Ripening Rate Control

Abstract

The purpose of research is to study the actions of growth regulators based on 1-methylcyclopropene (Harvista) to give an attractive appearance, improve the taste of apple fruits and control the maturation rate. The results of the use of non-root treatments with a growth regulator based on 1-methylcyclopropene (Harvista) on the fruits of the Red Delicious apple variety grown in the Krasnodar Region, which allow controlling the intensity of ethylene release and increasing the period of fruit maturation, helping to extend the harvest time, are presented. Processing fruits was carried out by Harvista once 10 days before the removal of fruits. A decrease in the concentration of ethylene in fruits contributed to less shedding of apples and, accordingly, an increase in yield. The extension of the harvest period contributed to an increase in the weight of the fruits of the Red Delicious variety up to 337.5 g (by 8–10 %). A decrease in fruit shedding when using Harvista and an increase in the weight of apples contributed to an average of up to 15.3 kg/tree, or 54.7 t/ha, in the control – 11.8 kg/tree, or 42.2 t/ha . The use of this preparation made it possible to stimulate the development of the integumentary color of the fruit, and by the beginning of the harvest, the apples had a more attractive presentation due to an increase in the content of anthocyanins in the skin of the fruit. The study of the effect of non-root treatments with a growth regulator (Harvista) showed an increase in the resistance of fruits to damage when exposed to a stressor, as well as a positive effect on the qualitative composition of fruits (pulp hardness, dry matter content, vitamins, minerals), which made it possible to increase the shelf life of apples. The result of using this growth regulator is better fruit quality and higher yields.