Effect of preharvest sprays containing calcium,magnesium and titanium on the quality of peaches and nectarines at harvest and during postharvest storage

Peach and nectarine trees were foliar sprayed with a formulation containing Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ti⁴⁺. Parameters related to fruit quality were evaluated at harvest, after 7–28 days of cold storage and after subsequent ripening for 4 days at 20 °C (shelf life). At harvest, treated fruits from both cultivars had higher weight and pulp firmness than control fruits, while no effect was observed for either colour, total soluble solid content (TSS) and titratable acidity (TA) or the time required to ripen on the tree. During cold storage, lower levels of weight loss, colour evolution, TSS/TA ratio and ethylene production and higher pulp firmness were found in treated peaches and nectarines compared with control fruits. Also, the storability of treated fruits was extended for up to 14 days more than that of control fruits. During ripening at 20 °C after different periods of cold storage, parameters related to ripening evolved faster in control than in treated fruits. Also, the occurrence of the climacteric peak of ethylene production was delayed and its intensity was lower in treated peaches and nectarines than in controls. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry