Peach and Nectarine Fruit Softening Following Aminoethoxyvinylglycine Sprays and Dips

Abstract

AVG sprays applied to `Redhaven' peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) trees 53, 72, 80, 87, or 94 days after full bloom (AFB) slightly delayed the first harvest date. Applications at 53 or 94 days AFB slightly delayed cumulative second and third harvests. The fourth (final) harvest was not delayed by any AVG spray. Firm commercial-harvest peach and nectarine fruit submerged for 60 s in AVG solutions softened more slowly than the controls when kept at room temperature (≈24 °C) for 3 to 12 days. AVG-treated fruit dipped in ethephon after 4 days showed an increased rate of softening compared to fruits treated only with AVG. Fruit submerged in AVG solutions and stored at 1.5 or 4.5 °C for 12 to 18 days did not differ in firmness from the controls upon removal from cold storage but sometimes softened more slowly after storage. Ethylene evolution from AVG-dipped fruit was not measureable even after it was kept at room temperature for 12 days. Chemicals used: Aminoethoxyvinylglycine hydrochloride (AVG); 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethephon).