1-METHYLCYCLOPROPENE PRESERVES THE FIRMNESS OF PLUMS DURING POSTHARVEST STORAGE AND RIPENING

Postharvest softening is a major factor limiting the shipping, storage and shelf life of plums. 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) is a volatile unsaturated cyclic hydrocarbon applied postharvest which irreversibly prevents binding of ethylene to active sites in plants, thus preventing adverse ethylene effects. It has been demonstrated to retard ripening of tomatoes, bananas and apples (Rupasinghe et al., 2000; Serek et al., 1995). The objective of this trial was to evaluate the potential of 1-MCP to extend storage and shelf life and prevent postharvest softening of several plum cultivars.