The effects of preharvest 1-methylcyclopropene (Harvista) treatments on harvest maturity of 'Golden Delicious' apple cultivar

In this research, the effects of preharvest 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) (Harvista) treatments on fruit drop, fruit quality and shelf life of 'Golden Delicious' apple cultivar were studied. For this purpose, Harvista treatments at doses of 25, 50, 100 and 200 g ha^-1 were applied to 'Golden Delicious' apple cultivar in Çanakkale, Kepez region, Turkey. Samplings were carried out on trees 1 day before and 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after applications respectively. Fruit drop rate, flesh firmness, soluble solids content, starch degradation, titratable acidity, skin colour, and total phenolic compounds were evaluated after each sampling date. Furthermore, fruits were kept at 20-22°C temperature and 50-60% relative humidity conditions as shelf life to determine the ethylene production. According to the results, Harvista applications with 100 and 200 g ha^-1 doses were found out as the most positive applications because of preventing fruit drop and minimizing the changes of quality parameters. Harvest maturity could be prolonged for 21 to 28 days with these application doses.