Abstract The objective of this work was to determine the storability of 'SCS417 Monalisa' apple fruit in response to harvest maturity, 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment, and storage atmospheres. Fruit quality was evaluated after two, four, six, and eight months plus one day or seven days in shelf life at 22°C. The controlled atmosphere (CA) and 1-MCP (1.0 μL L-1) treatments reduce fruit ethylene production and respiration, prevent rapid softening, and inhibit the incidence of scald-like symptoms, flesh browning, cracking, and fungal decay, in comparison with air storage . The combination of 1-MCP and CA provides additive benefits in firmness retention and in the reduction of the incidence of physiological disorders. CA and/or 1-MCP increase the risk of fruit developing wrinkly skin disorder. The loss of flesh firmness and acidity and the development of all physiological disorders and decay are higher in late-harvested fruit. The storage life of 'SCS417 Monalisa' apple is about two months in cold air and from six to eight months in cold CA, considering the time necessary to reach a flesh firmness of 53 N. The limiting factor for the long-term storage of 'SCS417 Monalisa' apple fruit under CA without 1-MCP is the development of physiological disorders and fungal decay.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a armazenabilidade de maçãs 'SCS417 Monalisa' em resposta à maturação na colheita, ao tratamento com 1-metilciclopropeno (1-MCP) e às atmosferas de armazenamento. A qualidade dos frutos foi avaliada após dois, quatro, seis e oito meses mais um dia ou sete dias de vida de prateleira a 22°C. Os tratamentos atmosfera controlada (AC) e 1-MCP (1,0 μL L-1) reduzem a produção de etileno e a respiração dos frutos, previnem o amolecimento rápido da polpa, e inibem a incidência de escaldadura, escurecimento da polpa, rachaduras e podridões fúngicas, em comparação ao armazenamento ao ar. A combinação de 1-MCP e AC proporciona benefícios aditivos na retenção da firmeza da polpa e na redução da incidência de distúrbios fisiológicos. A AC e/ou 1-MCP aumentam o risco de os frutos desenvolverem o distúrbio superfície rugosa. A perda de firmeza e acidez dos frutos e o desenvolvimento de todos os distúrbios fisiológicos e a podridão são maiores em frutos colhidos tardiamente. O potencial de armazenamento das maçãs 'SCS417 Monalisa' é de cerca de dois meses em ar refrigerado e de seis a oito meses em AC refrigerada, considerando o tempo necessário para atingir a firmeza de polpa de 53 N. O fator limitante para o armazenamento a longo prazo da maçã 'SCS417 Monalisa' sob AC sem 1-MCP é o desenvolvimento de distúrbios fisiológicos e podridões fúngicas.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of new Ca sources sprayed on ‘Fuji Suprema’ and ‘Maxi Gala’ apple trees on nutrient levels in leaves and fruit, as well as on fruit ripening features and quality at harvest time and after cold storage. Experiments were carried out in a commercial orchard planted with ‘Fuji Suprema’ and ‘Maxi Gala’ apple trees in Caçador, Santa Catarina state, Brazil. Application of different Ca sources and untreated trees were evaluated in each experiment. Fruit were harvested at two different ripening stages and analyzed based on the following variables: fruit ripening at harvest time, as well as fruit quality and incidence of physiological disorders after 210-day storage at 1 °C. Calcium applications did not change Ca levels in the leaves and of the whole fruit. Calcium levels in fruit peel increased in cultivars Maxi Gala and Fuji Suprema due to leaf Ca applications. ‘Maxi Gala’ apples recorded higher postharvest incidence of physiological disorders, such as greater loss of fruit firmness than ‘Fuji Suprema’ apples (Due to 1-methylcyclopropene [1-MCP] application on ‘Fuji Suprema’ apples). Calcium applications did not change fruit maturation (starch index and pulp firmness) or apple pulp firmness preservation in both cultivars, although they reduced the incidence of bitter pit disorder in ‘Maxi Gala’ apples. The new sources of Ca tested did not increase Ca contents, nor did they reduced the risk for physiological disorder compared to the standard CaCl2 treatment that has been commercially used for decades as the main Ca fertilizer.

Resumo Este estudo foi realizado para examinar a resposta da maçã ‘Luiza’ a diferentes atmosferas e tempos de armazenamento, e a inibição química da ação do etileno pelo 1-MCP. As análises da qualidade dos frutos e da incidência de distúrbios fisiológicos foram realizadas a cada dois meses, durante oito meses de armazenamento para Exp. 1 e 2, e após oito meses para Exp. 3. Tanto o armazenamento em AC quanto o tratamento com 1-MCP reduziram a produção de etileno e a respiração dos frutos, impediram o rápido amolecimento dos frutos e reduziram a incidência de escurecimento da polpa em maçã ‘Luiza’. A combinação do tratamento com 1-MCP na colheita e no armazenamento, em AC proporcionou benefício adicional na retenção da firmeza após o armazenamento mais sete dias a 22 °C. Com base no tempo para atingir firmeza de 53 N, o potencial de armazenamento da maçã ‘Luiza’ é inferior a quatro meses em ar refrigerado e superior a seis meses em AC. Maçãs ‘Luiza’ não desenvolveram sintomas internos de dano por CO2 quando armazenadas sob altas pressões parciais de CO2 (até 4,5 kPa). No entanto, houve aumento do escurecimento da polpa e incidência de podridões para maçãs armazenadas em AC por seis a oito meses. Por isso, o potencial de armazenamento do fruto da macieira ‘Luiza’ pode ser limitado a seis meses sob armazenamento em AC (1.5 kPa O2 e 2.5 kPa CO2).

Abstract This study was carried out to examine the response of ‘Luiza’ apple to different storage atmospheres, durations, and chemical inhibition of ethylene action by 1-MCP. Analysis of fruit quality and physiological disorder incidence were performed every two months during eight months of storage for Exp. 1 and 2, and after eight months for Exp. 3. Both CA storage and 1-MCP treatment reduced fruit ethylene production and respiration and prevented the rapid fruit softening, flesh browning incidence and fungal decay of ‘Luiza’ apple. The combination of 1-MCP treatment before storage in CA provided an additional benefit in firmness retention after simulated marketing conditions at 22oC. Based on the time to reach a firmness of 53 N, the storage life of ‘Luiza’ apple is less than four months in air-storage and more than six months under CA-storage. ‘Luiza’ fruit did not develop symptoms of CO2 injury when stored under high CO2 partial pressures (up to 4.5 kPa). However, we observed increased flesh browning and fungal decay incidence for CA-stored fruit between six and eight months of storage. Therefore, the storage potential of ‘Luiza’ apple fruit may be limited to six months under CA-storage (1.5 kPa O2 and 2.5 kPa CO2).

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of controlled atmosphere storage on quality of native and cultivated yerba mate produced in Arvorezinha (RS) and São Mateus do Sul (PR) after 0, 3, 6 and 12 months of storage under ambient conditions, low oxygen (1.0 kPa) and high carbon dioxide (3.0 kPa) partial pressures. Total chlorophyll concentration reduced over the storage period regardless of the atmosphere condition, form of cultivation and production region. Total carotenoids, regardless of the form and place of cultivation, decreased until three months of storage under 1.0 kPa O2. Although, the O2 reduction to 1.0 kPa maintains greener color and higher chlorophyll concentration after 12 months of storage. High carbon dioxide partial pressures (3.0 kPa) in the storage chamber increases the polyphenol concentration until six months of storage. The raw material originated from São Mateus do Sul (PR) has higher chlorophyll concentration and greener color, resulting in greater storage potential.

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of extremely low-oxygen storage on the aerobic, anaerobic metabolism and overall quality maintenance of ‘Royal Gala’ and ‘Galaxy’ apples stored at two temperatures. For ‘Royal Gala’ apples, four treatments were evaluated in a two-factor scheme (2 × 2), with two storage conditions: [1] 1.2 kPa O2 + 2 kPa CO2; [2] 0.8 kPa O2 + 1.6 kPa CO2; and two temperatures (1.0 and 1.5 °C). For ‘Galaxy’ apples, the experiment was conducted in a two-factor (3 × 2) scheme with three storage conditions: [1] 1.2 kPa O2 + 2 kPa CO2; [2] 0.8 kPa O2 + 1.6 kPa CO2; [3] 0.4 kPa O2 + 1.2 kPa CO2, and two temperatures (1.0 and 1.5 °C). The ‘Royal Gala’ apples stored under 0.8 kPa O2 + 1.6 kPa CO2 at 1.5 °C had higher flesh firmness, healthy fruit and soluble solids along with lower incidence of flesh breakdown and mealiness. The ‘Galaxy’ apples stored under 0.4 kPa O2 + 1.2 kPa CO2, at temperature of 1.5 °C had lower 1-carboxylic acid-1-aminocyclopropane (ACC) oxidase enzyme activity, ethylene production, occurrence of mealiness, when compared to 1.0 °C. The storage of these two cultivars at 1.5 °C with extremely low O2 partial pressures is possible. The possibility to increase the storage temperature from 1 °C, which is traditionally used for these mutants, to 1.5 °C allows to keep better quality with the advantage of energy saving.

ABSTRACT The Gala cultivars represent about 65% of the Brazilian apple production, however, it has a short harvest period, making necessary to use technologies that anticipate or delay fruit maturation. A widely used technology is the preharvest application of growth regulators. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of preharvest application of naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) combined with aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) and 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (Ethephon), on the quality of ‘Brookfield’ apple at harvest and after eight months controlledatmosphere (CA)(1.2 kPa O2 and 2.0 kPa CO2) storage followed by seven days of shelf life at 20 °C. The treatments were: [1] Control: application of water only; [2] NAA (40 g.ha-1); [3] NAA (40 g·ha-1) plus Ethephon (2.0 L·ha-1 24% of active ingredient), and [4] NAA (40 g·ha-1) plus AVG (0.83 kg.ha-1 15% of active ingredient). At harvest, fruit treated with NAA presented a higher level of starch degradation, ethylene production and respiration rate. Fruit treated with NAA plus AVG maintained better quality after eight months under CA storage plus seven days of shelf life, due to higher healthy fruit amount and higher flesh firmness, but this combination reduced the red skin color index. Additionally, NAA plus Ethephon may be an alternative to maintain the quality of ‘Brookfield’ apple during storage in comparison to the application of NAA isolated.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of storing ‘Royal Gala’ apple under extremely low oxygen partial pressures on their anaerobic metabolism, ethylene production and fruit quality after 9 months of storage plus 7 days of shelf life at 20 °C. The storage conditions tested were: 1.2 kPa O2 + 2.0 kPa CO2; 0.7 kPa O2 + 1.5 kPa CO2; 0.5 kPa O2 + 1.2 kPa CO2; 0.4 kPa O2 +1.2 kPa CO2 and 0.25 kPa O2 + 0.0 kPa CO2. The fruit storage temperature was 1.0 °C (± 0.1). Fruit stored at 0.4 kPa O2 + 1.2 kPa CO2 maintained higher flesh firmness and a higher percentage of healthy fruit. The fruit stored under the 0.25 kPa O2 + 0.0 kPa CO2 condition had lower flesh firmness as well as a reduced percentage of healthy fruit and a high production of anaerobic metabolism compounds, such as ethanol and ethyl acetate, which may have caused fruit quality loss. The storage of ‘Royal Gala’ apple under 0.4 kPa O2 + 1.2 kPa CO2 is a technique that can be commercially applied to keep a better fruit quality after a 9 months storage period.

RESUMO A podridão parda do pessegueiro, causada pelo fungo Monilinia fructicola, é a principal doença da cultura, causando danos significativos tanto em pré-colheita como pós-colheita. O estudo objetivou avaliar a aplicação pré-colheita de fungicidas, no controle da podridão parda e verificar o papel da infecção latente e contaminação externa na incidência da doença em pós-colheita. Foi conduzido um experimento nos anos de 2014 e 2015 para avaliar o desempenho de seis ingredientes ativos em pré-colheita (captana, iprodiona, iminoctadina, tebuconazol, difenoconazol e azoxistrobina) no controle da podridão parda e o efeito sobre infecções latentes. Um segundo experimento objetivou monitorar a infecção latente durante o crescimento e maturação dos frutos, correlacionando-a com a incidência da doença em pós-colheita. Os dados formam submetidos a análise de variância (Anova) e as médias agrupadas pelo teste de Scott-Knott (p < 0,05) com o software estatístico Sisvar. Os produtos iprodione, tebuconazol e difenoconazol foram os mais eficientes no controle da podridão parda a campo, enquanto o iminoctadine possui maior eficiência em pós-colheita, agindo inclusive sobre as infecções latentes. A incidência de infecções latentes tanto na fase de crescimento quanto maturação tem correlação positiva com a podridão parda em pós-colheita. A maior incidência da doença após o armazenamento foi em decorrência da manifestação de infecções latentes. O eficiente controle químico no campo, durante toda a fase de crescimento e maturação dos frutos é uma importante estratégia para o controle pós-colheita, inclusive após o armazenamento refrigerado e durante a vida de prateleira sob 20 oC.

ABSTRACT The peach brown rot, caused by Monilinia fructicola, is the main disease of the crop, causing significant losses during preharvest and postharvest. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of preharvest fungicide application on brown rot control and verify the role of latent infection and external contamination in postharvest disease. An experiment was carried out in the years 2014 and 2015 in order to evaluate the performance of six active ingredients (captan, iprodione, iminoctadine, tebuconazole, difenoconazole and azoxystrobin) during preharvest on brown rot control and the effect on latent infection. A second experiment was carried out to monitor the latent infection during growth and ripening of the fruit and in order to correlate it with the postharvest disease incidence. The data were submitted to analysis of variance (Anova) and the means were grouped by the Scott-Knott test (p < 0.05), using statistical software Sisvar. The active ingredients iprodione, tebuconazole and difenoconazole were the most efficient in controlling brown rot on the field, while iminoctadine has higher efficiency during postharvest control, acting on latent infections. The incidence of latent infections during fruit growth and ripening has a positive correlation with brown rot incidence at postharvest. The highest disease incidence after storage is due to the latent infections manifestation. Effective chemical control in the field, throughout the growing and ripening of fruit, is an important approach to postharvest brown rot control, even after cold storage and during shelf life at 20 °C.

RESUMO O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da aplicação de etanol e duas doses de óxido nítrico na manutenção da qualidade de maçãs ‘Galaxy’ durante o armazenamento em atmosfera controlada (AC). Tratamentos utilizados: [1] 1,2 kPa O2 + 2,0 kPa CO2; [2] AC + aplicação de 20 µL L-1 de óxido nítrico; [3] AC + aplicação de 40 µL L-1 de óxido nítrico; [4] AC + aplicação de 1 mL de etanol kg-1 de fruto. Os frutos foram mantidos em AC durante oito meses e sete dias a 20º C. Frutos tratados com etanol apresentaram maior produção de etileno, menor firmeza, elevada degenerescência, polpa farinácea e produção de acetaldeído. Já, os frutos tratados com 40 µL L-1 de óxido nítrico, apresentaram menor produção de etileno, taxa respiratória e atividade da enzima ACC (1-aminociclopropano-1-carboxílico) oxidase. Maçãs tradadas com 20 µL L-1 de óxido nítrico apresentaram aumento na produção de etileno e respiração, etileno e CO2 interno, e produzem mais etanol. A aplicação de etanol e óxido nítrico, não apresentam benefícios na manutenção da qualidade dos frutos após o armazenamento em AC devido a menor firmeza de polpa, maior ocorrência de polpa farinácea, degenerescência de polpa e incidência de podridões nos frutos.

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of ethanol and two nitric oxide dose applications on the maintenance of the post-storage quality of ‘Galaxy’ apple during storage under controlled atmosphere (CA). Treatments evaluated were: [1] 1.2 kPa O2 + 2.0 kPa CO2; [2] CA + 20 µL L-1 of nitric oxide, [3] CA + 40 µL L-1 of nitric oxide; [4] CA + 1 ml of ethanol kg-1 fruit. Fruits received treatments before storage and were kept under CA during eight months and seven days of storage at 20 °C. Fruits had been kept on CA for eight months and seven days at 20° C. Fruits treated with ethanol showed higher ethylene production, low flesh firmness, high flesh breakdown, mealiness and acetaldehyde production. Fruits treated with 40 µL L-1 nitric oxide showed lower ethylene production, respiration rate and ACC oxidase ( (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid) oxidase enzyme activity. Apples treated with 20 uL L-1 nitric oxide showed higher ethylene production, respiration rate, internal ethylene concentration CO2 and ethanol concentration. Ethanol and nitric oxide application before storage have no benefits in maintaining fruit quality after storage under CA due to lower flesh firmness, higher mealiness incidence, flesh breakdown and decay incidence.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a interação entre estádios de maturação e temperatura de armazenamento na qualidade de frutos de amora-preta ‘Guarani’ armazenados em atmosfera controlada (AC). O experimento foi conduzido em esquema fatorial (2x2), avaliando-se dois estádios de maturação (E1: cor vermelha e E2: cor preta dos frutos) e duas temperaturas (1°C e 5°C). Os frutos foram armazenados em AC (10.0kPa O2+15.0Pa CO2) e 98±1% de umidade relativa. Os resultados mostraram que o componente principal 1 (PC I) e o componente principal 2 (PC II) responderam por 92,84% de variação das variáveis analisadas. Conclui-se que a colheita não deve ser realizada em estádio de maturação antecipado, pois a amora-preta ‘Guarani’ não desenvolve todas as características de qualidade para o consumidor. A amora-preta ‘Guarani’ deve ser armazenada na temperatura de 1°C. Os estádios de maturação apresentam maior importância na variação dos parâmetros de qualidade quando comparados a temperaturas de armazenamento.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this research was to evaluate the interaction between maturity stages and temperature on fruit quality of ‘Guarani’ blackberries stored under controlled atmosphere (CA). The experiment was conducted in a factorial scheme (2x2), evaluating two ripening stages (E1: red-color and E2: black-color of fruits) and two temperatures (1°C and 5°C). The fruit were stored in CA (10.0kPa O2+15.0kPa CO2) and 98±1% of relative humidity (RH). Results showed that the principal component 1 (PC I) and principal component 2 (PC II) corresponded to 92.84% of the overall variation of the evaluated variables. Harvest should not be performed in the early maturity stage, because ‘Guarani’ blackberries do not develop all quality of consumer. ‘Guarani’ blackberries must be stored at 1°C. The maturity stage showed the major importance in the overall variability of quality parameters when compared to storage temperature.

RESUMO O estudo das associações lineares existentes entre caracteres é fundamental para a seleção ou quantificação indireta de caracteres de interesse. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as relações lineares entre caracteres de frutos de maçã das cultivares ‘Royal Gala’ e ‘Fuji’, na colheita e após armazenamento refrigerado. Foram avaliados 120 frutos de ‘Royal Gala’ e 120 frutos de ‘Fuji’ na colheita e 120 frutos de ‘Royal Gala’ e 111 frutos de ‘Fuji’ após armazenamento refrigerado. Foram mensurados os caracteres morfológicos/produtivos (massa, diâmetro longitudinal e diâmetros transversais maior e menor) e os caracteres de qualidade (firmeza de polpa, sólidos solúveis totais, acidez titulável, teor de suco, produção de etileno e respiração). Em cada cultivar (‘Royal Gala’ e ‘Fuji’) e momento de avaliação (na colheita ou após armazenamento refrigerado), foram calculados os coeficientes de correlação linear de Pearson entre os pares de caracteres e a correlação canônica entre os grupos de caracteres morfológicos/produtivos e de qualidade. Na colheita, os frutos com maior massa apresentaram menor firmeza de polpa e maior teor de sólidos solúveis totais, independentemente da cultivar. Após o armazenamento refrigerado, os frutos com maior massa apresentaram maior teor de sólidos solúveis totais e menor respiração, independentemente da cultivar, e maior teor de suco na cultivar ‘Fuji’.

ABSTRACT The study of linear associations between traits is critical for the selection or the indirect quantification of the interest traits. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate the linear relationships among traits of apple fruits, in ‘Royal Gala’ and ‘Fuji’ cultivars, at harvest and after cold storage. In this investigation, 120 fruits of ‘Royal Gala’ and 120 fruits of ‘Fuji’ at harvest and 120 fruits of ‘Royal Gala’ and 111 fruits of ‘Fuji’ after cold storage were evaluated. Morphological/productive (mass, longitudinal diameter, major and minor transverse diameters) and quality traits (firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, juice content, ethylene production and respiration) were measured. In each cultivar (‘Royal Gala’ and ‘Fuji’) and time of evaluation (at harvest or after cold storage), the Pearson’s linear correlation coefficients among the pairs of traits and the canonical correlation among the groups of morphological/productive and of quality traits were calculated. At harvest, the apple fruits with higher mass had lower firmness and higher total soluble solids, regardless of the cultivar. After cold storage, the apple fruits with higher mass had higher total soluble solids and lower respiration, regardless of the cultivar, and higher juice content in the ‘Fuji’ cultivar.

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to compare the storage potential of ‘Guarani’ and ‘Tupy’ blackberries in controlled atmosphere (CA) and thereafter to determinate the best CA storage conditions for ‘Tupy’ blackberries. Two experiments were carried out. In the first one, ‘Guarani’ and ‘Tupy’ blackberries were stored in CA condition (10 kPa O2 + 15 kPa CO2). We found that ‘Tupy’ blackberry has the best storage potential. Therefore, in the second experiment, several CA conditions were evaluated for ‘Tupy’ blackberries storage, as follows: [1] cold storage (CS): 20.9 kPa O2 + 0.04 kPa CO2; [2] CA with 10 kPa O2 + 15 kPa CO2; [3] CA with 5 kPa O2 + 15 kPa CO2; [4] CA with 10 kPa O2 + 10 kPa CO2. All treatments were stored at 1 °C and 98% (± 1) of relative humidity. The ‘Tupy’ blackberry, despite showing a significant decrease in ascorbic acid content, presented a higher storage potential than ‘Guarani’ blackberry, if stored at recommended CA condition for other cultivars. ‘Tupy’ blackberry stored at 5 kPa O2 + 15 kPa CO2 showed higher ascorbic acid content, soluble solids and titratable acidity as compared to the other storage conditions. In CA with 10 kPa O2 + 15 kPa CO2, the juice was lighter (high L), but differed significantly only from those fruit of CS. The best CA condition for ‘Tupy’ blackberries storage is 5 kPa O2 with 15 kPa CO2.

ABSTRACT Yerba mate shows social and economic importance for the Southern Latin American countries due to its easy production and large market range. However, there is a problem to harvest the yerba mate at the correct period and to store it until processing and marketing. Thus, the aim of this paper was to evaluate the interaction among the storage in controlled atmosphere, effect of cultivation form and shelf life period on yerba mate quality after long-term controlled atmosphere storage. The experiment was conducted in a factorial arrangement (3 controlled atmosphere conditions × 2 cultivation forms × 4 weeks of shelf life). Native yerba mate, stored under controlled atmosphere, showed higher chlorophyll concentration as compared to the cultivated one. Carotenoid concentration increased up to the third week of shelf life and thereafter remained constant, if the yerba mate was stored under ambient conditions. Oxygen partial pressure lowering allows long-term yerba mate storage, keeping its quality during four shelf life weeks at 20 °C. Controlled atmosphere is an efficient technique for yerba mate quality keeping during long-term storage and shelf life, allowing the harvest of the raw material at the correct period and the maintenance of its quality until processing and marketing. The cultivation form has a significant effect on the storage and shelf life potential of yerba mate stored under controlled atmosphere.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da aplicação de boro em pré-colheita sobre a qualidade físico química de maçã 'Galaxy', após a colheita e armazenamento em atmosfera controlada, durante 8 meses mais sete dias de vida de prateleira a 20°C. O experimento foi composto por dois tratamentos aplicados a campo: [1] controle (frutos sem aplicação de boro) e [2] aplicação foliar de boro (quatro aplicações de 1,5kg ha-1). Após a colheita, a aplicação de boro promoveu maior produção de etileno, taxa respiratória e reduziu a firmeza de polpa em relação aos frutos sem boro. Resultado similar foi obtido após oito meses de armazenamento mais sete dias de vida. A aplicação pré-colheita de boro torna possível antecipar a colheita pelo fato de que acelera o metabolismo dos frutos, mas os frutos tem menor potencial de armazenamento, pois apresentam alta produção de etileno, taxa respiratória, incidência de podridões, polpa farinácea e redução da porcentagem de frutos sadios e firmeza de polpa após o armazenamento em AC.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of preharvest boron application on the physical and chemical quality of 'Galaxy' apples after harvest and in controlled atmosphere storage during eight months, plus seven days of shelf life at 20°C. The experiment was performed with two treatments applied on the field: [1] Control (fruit without boron application) and [2] Foliar application of boron (four applications of 1.5kg ha-1). Findings showed that the boron application promoted a higher ethylene production and respiratory rate and it application also reduced the flesh firmness in relation to the fruits without it. A similar result was obtained after eight months of storage plus seven days of shelf life. The preharvest application of boron makes it possible to harvest apples earlier due to the fact that it accelerates the fruit metabolism. However, the fruits end up presenting a lower storage potential as a result of the higher ethylene production, respiration rate, decay incidence, mealiness and a reduction of the healthy fruit percentage and flesh firmness after CA storage.

AbstractThe main goal of the present study was to elucidate the effect of growth regulators at harvest and postharvest quality of 'Brookfield' apples stored under controlled atmosphere through a multivariate approach. Thus, an experiment with two steps (field and storage) was carried out. The treatments in field were applied with an output of 1,000 L ha–1 of water. The following treatments were tested: Control: only water application; AVG (aminoethoxyvinylglycine): 0.83 kg ha–1 of Retain® applied 30 days before harvest (BH); NAA (naphthalene acetic acid): 40g ha–1of naphthalene acetic acid applied 7 days BH; Ethephon: 2.0 L ha–1 of Ethrel® applied 10 days BH; 1-MCP: 0.625µL L–1 of 1-MCP (1-methylcyclopropene): applied during postharvest (storage); LE (low ethylene): with the allocation of potassium permanganate sachets during postharvest. Fruits treated with AVG in the field showed an opposite response to the fruits with NAA. AVG application followed by another growth regulator (AVG + Ethephon and AVG + NAA) showed an advance in maturation, nearing these fruits to the control treatment, this effect is likely related to the higher ethylene production by these fruits compared to fruits with AVG alone. AVG, 1-MCP and LE kept a similar response on quality maintenance. Ethephon application prevented the negative effect of NAA at harvest, but after storage, the combined NAA + ethephon application increased the physiological disorders, reducing internal quality.