Effect of 1-methylcyclopropene on ripening of 'Canino' apricots and 'Royal Zee' plums

'Canino' apricots and 'Royal Zee' plums were treated with 1000 nl l(-1) 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) at 20 degreesC for 20 h following harvest before 0 degreesC storage. After 5 days storage for apricots and 10 days for plums and after 30 days storage for both, fruit were moved to 20 degreesC for ripening. In addition, apricots were stored for 20 days and then treated with 1-MCP concentrations of 10, 100 and 1000 nl l(-1) at removal and held for ripening. Ethylene production and respiration rate, as well as fruit quality of apricots varied with treatment. Ethylene production was efficiently inhibited by 1000 nl l(-1) 1-MCP in Fruit treated after storage but not in fruit treated before storage. Fruit softening was associated with ethylene production and affected by 1-MCP in a concentration dependent manner when treated after storage, while 1-MCP did not affect softening in prestorage treated fruit. The color change of fruit was ethylene-independent and not affected by 1-MCP. Internal flesh browning was decreased by 1-MCP regardless of the concentration when treated after storage, while it was enhanced in fruit treated before storage. Decay development in apricots was decreased by 1-MCP in a concentration dependent manner. Ethylene production and respiration in 'Royal Zee' plums was greatly inhibited by 1-MCP during ripening after both short-terns (10 day) and long term (30 day) storage. Parameters associated with ripening processes were decreased significantly by 1-MCP, including softening, color change, and loss of titratable acidity. These data demonstrate that 1-MCP has potential to delay ripening of apricots and plums, but the cultivar, maturity of fruit, and time of application must be chosen carefully. It is suggested that 1-MCP is more efficient for extending the shelf life and improving the quality of 'Canino' apricots directly marketed or after storage, whereas it might be a potent compound for extending both storage period and shelf life of 'Royal Zee' plums. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.