Vol. 76 No: 2

Title:
Effect of pre-harvest boron application on the incidence of CA-storage related disorders in 'Conference' pears

Authors:
H. XUAN, J. STREIF, H. PFEFFER, F. DANNEL, V. ROMHELD and F. BANGERTH

pp: 133-137

Abstract:
'Conference' pears are susceptible to physiological disorders, such as brown heart and cavities if stored in controlled atmosphere (CA) storage with high CO₂ concentrations. The effect of preharvest foliar sprays of boron (B) on several physiological characteristics and the incidence of CA-related disorders in 'Conference' pear fruit stored under high CO₂ CA-conditions was tested. Several times before harvest, trees of 'Conference' pears were sprayed with boron. After harvest the fruit were stored at -0.5° C with 5% CO₂ + 2% O₂ CA-conditions. During a four-month storage period, the fruit were inspected for physiological disorders and quality characteristics. In addition, cell membrane permeability, mineral concentration and vitamin C content of the inner cortex of fruit tissue were determined. The results indicate that fruit treated with boron did not exhibit any browning disorders after four months, compared with a high incidence of brown heart in control fruit. In comparison with control fruit, B treatment reduced membrane permeablity at harvest and during storage and increased B and Vitamin C content of inner cortex tissue. The macronutrients: K, Ca, Mg and P, as well as the fruit quality characteristics: firmness, soluble solids, acidity and fruit colour were not affected. The importance of B on the structure and integrity of cell membranes and walls, as well as the cellular defence mechanism in relation to browning disorders is discussed.

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