1-methylcyclopropene can differentially affect the postharvest life of strawberries exposed to ethylene

Strawberry (Fragaria xananassa Duch.) fruit were fumigated for 2 hours at 20 OC with 1-mcp at concentrations from 5 to 500 nL.L-1, then held at 20 and 5 degrees C in air containing 0.1 mu L.L-1 ethylene, Fumigation with 1-mcp at 5 to 15 nL.L-1 extended the postharvest life by approximate to 35% at 20 degrees C and 150% at 5 degrees C, but at higher 1-mcp concentrations there was an accelerated loss of quality with a 30% to 60% decrease in postharvest life at 500 nL.L-1 at both 20 and 5 degrees C. Chemical name used: 1-methylcyclopropene (1-mcp).