The effect of treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene on the quality of Idared apple fruits and their storage in the natural atmosphere

Abstract

Apple is among the fruit species whose fruits in the fresh state can be stored longer than fruits of most other fruit species. In some cultivars, using modern methods of preservation, the period is up to 12 months. Storage duration is affected by a large number of factors such as cultivar, fruit quality, region of production, method of storage, etc. Fruits intended for long storage should be at the stage of early maturity. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the status of the fruits and implement one or more operations to determine the harvest moment. The aim of this paper is to examine the effect of ethylene inhibitor 1-MCP after harvest on the quality and the storage ability of fruits of apple cultivar Idared, in normal atmospheric conditions. Based on these studies we could provide guidelines for proper application on the cultivar Idared in order to preserve the quality of the fruit during storage. The results showed that the fruit firmness is significantly higher in the case of 1-MCP treatment, regardless of the concentration applied. 1-MCP does not affect the content of soluble dry matter in fruits and the total acid content in the fruits is higher during and after storage in NA conditions. The results also showed the 1-MCP effect on the physiological diseases of the fruit.