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Owing to the high degree of perishability of the fruit, the peach industry faces serious challenges tackling physiological disorders, microbial/chemical decay, and the suboptimal quality of the fruit during and following cold storage. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of spray applications of calcium chloride (CaCl2) at various physiological stages of fruit growth and development, on ripening, flesh softening, chilling injury (CI) and nutritional quality of peach fruit cv "Flordaking" during low-temperature storage. The aqueous solutions of CaCl2 [0, 1, 2, and 3% (w/v)] were sprayed on peach trees during cell division, pit hardening and cell expansion stages in 2011 and 2012. At commercial harvest, the fruit were hand-picked and were subjected to cold storage at 1 ± 1°C (RH: 90 ± 5%) for 6 weeks. The data on CI index and other quality characteristics of the fruit were recorded at harvest and then weekly for up to 6 weeks. The results showed that the pre-harvest spray application of CaCl2 substantially reduced the incidence of chilling injury (CI) and delayed climacteric ripening seemingly by lowering the rates of ethylene production and fruit softening during storage as compared to control, regardless the doses of CaCl2 and its application time, however higher doses of calcium chloride proved to be toxic causing blemishes on the surface of "Flordaking" peaches. In conclusion, pre-harvest spray application of CaCl2 @ 1% may be a successful production management tool to maintain the quality and to extend storability of peach fruit during cold storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The peach industry faces serious economic losses because of the short “green” life of the fruit at postharvest. In the present study, we investigated the effects of putrescine (PUT) application on the quality characteristics, pattern of ripening, storage behaviour and shelf life of peach fruit during low-temperature storage. The aqueous solution of PUT (0, 1, 2 and 3 mM) was applied to the peach trees at three distinctive stages of fruit growth and development. The fruits, harvested at the commercial stage of maturity, were stored at 1 ± 1 ◦C and 90 ± 2% relative humidity for 6 weeks. The data for fruit firmness, total soluble solids (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), ascorbic acid (AsA) content, rate of ethylene production, chilling injury (CI) index and colour perception were collected at harvest and then on a weekly basis throughout the storage period. The results showed that spray application of PUT significantly reduced the incidence of CI and reduced the rates of fruit softening, loss in fruit weight, SSC, TA, AsA content and fading of skin colour during storage, regardless of the doses of PUT applied, or the time of application. However, the positive effects on the quality characteristics of peach fruit, including CI, were more pronounced with the higher doses of PUT, specifically when applied at 2 mM. In conclusion, CI in peach fruit may be substantially alleviated by the spray application of 1–3 mM PUT during fruit growth without compromising the quality of the fruit for up to 6 weeks in low-temperature storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Poor red pigmentation in grapes has been a serious challenge to viticulture. • Effects of ABA and Ethrel® on anthocyanin formation in grapes were investigated. • Two sprays of ABA with Ethrel® at veraison improved red pigmentation in grape-skin. • ABA- and Ethrel®-treated grapes were significantly similar in firmness of berries. Poor red pigmentation in the berries of red table grapes has been a serious challenge to viticulture industry around the globe. During 2016 and 2017, the effects of spray applications of 100–400 mg L−1abscisic acid (ABA), alone or in combination with 125 or 250 ppm Ethrel® (Eth) applied at veraison, on color development, firmness and accumulation of dietary antioxidants in 'Red Globe' grape-berries, grown under the suboptimal conditions of Saudi Arabia, were investigated. At physiological maturity, the berries harvested from the grapevines treated with two spray applications of 200 mg L−1 ABA combined with 125 ppm of Eth at veraison, applied one week apart, exhibited significantly higher levels of total anthocyanins, phenolic and flavonoid contents in the skin compared to those harvested from the untreated (control) vines. At veraison, a brief exposure of grape-berries to ethylene seems to be required to initiate the process of anthocyanin biosynthesis. The firmness of the ABA-treated berries was slightly higher than those treated with Eth alone. In conclusion, two spray applications of ABA @ 200 mg L−1, combined with the substandard dose (125 ppm) of Eth at veraison, one week apart, substantially enhanced red pigmentation and increased the accumulation of dietary antioxidants in 'Red Globe' grape-berries grown under the non-conductive climatic conditions for anthocyanin biosynthesis. However, alternative management strategies need to be developed to maintain/improve the quality of grapes including berry firmness at commercial harvest and during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]