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.

Growth regulators are used in the production of apples worldwide, especially to extend the harvest period and maintain postharvest quality. This study aimed to investigate the effects of applying aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) in isolation as well as in combination with other growth regulators and postharvest techniques on the harvest quality and storage potential of ‘Brookfield’ apples (Malus domestica), a ‘Gala’ strain. Fruit receiving AVG only had the highest starch content and the highest titratable acidity at harvest. After 8 months of storage, the AVG + 1-MCP (1-methylcyclopropene) and AVG + ABS (ethylene absorption) conserved higher flesh firmness than to all the other treatments. Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) application induced ACC oxidase enzyme activity at harvest, but not after storage. AVG application, with or without the aid of another technique, did not decrease the red skin color of ‘Brookfield’ apples. Low mealiness and a high healthy fruit percentage was obtained when the fruits were submitted to pre-harvest AVG application combined with NAA, 1-MCP and ABS. Internal carbon dioxide had an inverse correlation with the quantity of healthy fruit and was directly correlated with mealiness.

RESUMOO objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes condições de atmosfera controlada (AC) e da indução de perda de massa (IPM) sobre a qualidade de peras ‘Rocha’. Frutos provenientes do município de São Joaquim-SC, foram armazenados por oito meses e quinze dias a -0,5±0,1 ºC e UR de 96±1%. Os tratamentos foram constituídos em armazenamento refrigerado (AR; 21,0 kPa de O2 + <0,03 kPa de CO2), bem como de cinco condições de AC: 1,0 kPa de O2 + <0,03 kPa de CO2; 2,0 kPa de O2 + 1,0 kPa de CO2; 1,0 kPa de O2 + 1,0 kPa de CO2; 1,0 kPa de O2 + 2,0 kPa de CO2; e 1 kPa de O2 + 2,0 kPa de CO2 + IPM de 2,6%. O AR propiciou frutos com casca mais amarela, menor teor de sólidos solúveis, menor acidez titulável e baixa aceitação nos testes sensoriais para os atributos de textura e equilíbrio doçura/acidez. Os frutos mantidos em AR e em AC, com pressão parcial de CO2 de <0,03 kPa, apresentaram maior firmeza de polpa e de força para penetração da polpa após sete dias de exposição dos frutos em condições ambiente, não desenvolvendo textura amanteigada, própria para o consumo. Não houve incidência de escurecimento de polpa em nenhuma das condições avaliadas. A IPM de 2,6% não apresentou efeito na qualidade dos frutos. As condições de AC de 1,0 kPa de O2 + 1,0 kPa de CO2 e 1 kPa de O2 + 2,0 kPa de CO2 proporcionam melhor manutenção da qualidade de peras ‘Rocha’, permitindo o amadurecimento normal dos frutos após o armazenamento prolongado.

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions and induction of mass loss (IML) on fruit quality of ‘Rocha’ pears. Fruit were harvested in São Joaquim, SC, and then stored for eight months and fifteen days at -0.5 ± 0.1 °C and 96±1% RH. The treatments evaluated were air storage (AS; 21.0 kPa O2 + <0.03 kPa CO2), and five controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions: 1.0 kPa O2 + <0.03 kPa CO2; 2.0 kPa O2 + 1.0 kPa CO2; 1.0 kPa O2 + 1.0 kPa CO2; 1.0 kPa O2 + 2.0 kPa CO2; and 1.0 kPa O2 + 2.0 kPa CO2 + 2.6% IML. Air storage provide fruits with yellower skin, lower soluble solids content, lower titratable acidity, and low acceptance in sensory tests for texture and sweetness/acidity. Fruits stored at low CO2 partial pressure (<0.03 kPa) showed higher flesh firmness and higher force required to penetrate the flesh after seven days of shelf life than the other treatments, and the fruit did not develop the buttery texture suitable for consumption. There was no incidence of flesh browning in any storage conditions evaluated. The IML of 2.6% had no effect on fruit quality. The CA conditions of 1.0 kPa O2 + 1.0 kPa CO2 and 1.0 kPa O2 + 2.0 kPa CO2 provided the best quality of ‘Rocha’ pears, allowing normal fruit ripening after long term storage.