Vol. 82 No: 4

Title:
Effects of two pre-harvest calcium treatments on physiological and quality parameters in 'Vogue' cherries during storage

Authors:
E. TSANTILI, D. ROUSKAS, M.V. CHRISTOPOULOS, V. STANIDIS, J. AKRIVOS and D. PAPANIKOLAOU

pp: 657-663

Abstract:
The effects of two pre-harvest spray treatments with calcium chloride (CaCl2) concentrations up to 58.5 mM on physiological and quality parameters were investigated in ‘Vogue’ cherries during storage from 1 – 23 d in air at 1° – 3.5°C, at 85 – 95% RH, in two experimental years. No foliar or fruit toxicity was observed. Ca-treated fruit showed greater firmness, lower soluble pectin content, more resistance to stem removal, and less stem browning than water-sprayed control fruit during storage. Ca spraying had no effect on fruit weight, fruit size, pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, Mg content, or peel colour; whereas there was an increase in Ca content and inconsistent changes in malic acid concentrations in fruits measured after 1 d in storage. Ca did not affect carbon dioxide (CO₂) production rates, and showed only slight effects on the already low ethylene production rates, and on the low 1-aminocyclopropane-1- carboxylic acid (ACC) content during storage. In conclusion, treatment with 45 mM CaCl₂ had positive effects on most of the quality parameters measured, with no negative effect under our particular experimental conditions.

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