EFFECT OF SOME PREHARVEST TREATMENTS ON QUALITY AND … · 2015. 6. 10. · KARIM M. FARAG1, AMR M. HAIKAL1 AND SAID M. ATTIA1 1Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture,

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J.Agric.&Env.Sci.Dam.Univ.,Egypt Vol.9 (3) 2010

EFFECT OF SOME PREHARVEST TREATMENTS ON

QUALITY AND RIPENING OF “CANINO” APRICOT

FRUITS

II. APPLICATIONS AT COLOR INITIATION.

KARIM M. FARAG

1, AMR M. HAIKAL

1 AND SAID M. ATTIA

1

1Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Damanhour University, P.O.Box

22516, Damanhour, Egypt.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed at investigating the effect of

ethephon alone or in combination with either oleic acid or

CaCl2 on Canino apricot fruit quality and ripening when

applied at color initiation (about 15-20% fruit coloration).

The debate about the time of ethephon application on

apricots especially at the beginning of stage III of fruit

development emphasizes the need to elaborated studies. The

formulation of ethephon with oleic acid and a surfactant or

the use of oleic acid as a coloring agent would be very

desirable to avoid or mitigate the adverse effects of ethylene.

Treatments, in this study, were applied during the two

successive seasons 2007 and 2008 at 15-20% fruit coloration

on Canino apricot cultivar using a hand sprayer. The results

proved that ethephon alone or in the presence of either

CaCl2 or oleic acid caused a significant reduction in stone

weight, chlorophyll a, and acidity, as compared with the

control. While, it increased carotenes, total sugars, reducing

sugars, TSS and TSS/ acidity ratio. On the other hand, the

formulation of ethephon in the presence of oleic acid did not

cause a significant change in fruit size, fruit diameter, fruit

length, fruit weight, flesh weight, chlorophyll b, and

reducing sugars as compared with the control. Furthermore,

oleic acid-treated fruits at 400 ppm increased carotenes,

reducing sugars, TSS and TSS/ acidity ratio, while decreased

chlorophyll a and acidity, as compared with the control. On

the other hand, oleic acid treatment did not cause a

significant change in fruit firmness, fruit size, fruit diameter,

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fruit length, fruit weight, flesh weight, flesh/stone ratio,

chlorophyll b, total sugars, and reducing sugars when

compared with the control. It could be concluded that the

applications of ethephon in the presence of oleic acid or the

use of oleic acid alone at color initiation caused desirable

effects in terms of improving fruit color and increasing TSS

to acidity without negative effects on fruit size or firmness at

harvest. Meanwhile, tissue firmness was significantly

decreased by the application of ethephon alone while fruit

size was not significantly altered by ethephon treatment at

the initiation of fruit. Aforementioned, this study

recommended using the combination of ethephon plus oleic

acid at 15-20% fruit coloration to gain the best desired

results in terms of fruit quality, fruit coloration and ripening

at harvest.

INTRODUCTION

Apricot fruits are nutritious and demanded by consumers all

over the world. It could be also processed in many forms such as

preserved juice, jam, and dried sheets since many new cultivars have

been developing. In addition to the local cultivars such as El-Ammar,

Hamawi and many other strains, there have been an introduction of

many new cultivars with low chilling requirements. The increase in

public awareness of the antioxidants content of apricots of fresh fruits

is another important factor for appealing consumers. However,

apricots are climacteric and highly perishable fruits if exposed to

ethylene.

Canino cv. has been considered as one of the most successful

new cultivars under Egyptian conditions. This cultivar is characterized

by its high yield, high fruit quality, heavy load, large size and round

fruits, free stone and soft flesh and the suitability of preserving fruits

by freezing or drying. The marketing season of the fruit in Egypt

extends from the beginning of June to the middle of July, depending

on the area and cultural practices. However, most fruits are harvested

during the period from the second half of June to early July.

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There have been many attempts to extend the marketing

season of fresh apricot fruits. One known approach is to use dormancy

breakers to induce early flowering in order to obtain mature fruits by

the last week of May. Another approach is to diversity adopted

cultivars such as Early Perfection that matures in June in addition to

the Canino cultivar. Spraying ethylene-releasing compounds such as

ethephon at certain stages of fruit development could be another

successful approach.

Increase in ethylene and respiration rates during ripening was

reported for apricot (Abeles et al., 1992), while the removal of

ethylene from the gas phase delayed softening of apricot (Miyazaki,

1983). Furthermore, ethylene released from ethephon inhibited growth

when it was applied during stage I and II of the double sigmoid curve

of fruit growth (Miller et al., 1988). Application of ethephon during

the onset of stage III promoted fruit growth (Dann and Chalmers,

1978) and ripening (Rom and Scott, 1971). However, the final growth

of the fruit is not under ethylene control since treatment peaches at

stage III with silver or AVG had no effect on fruit size (Miller et al.,

1988). The role of ethylene during stage III was presumed to be

associated with color development, softening and abscission. Thus, in

spite of the desired effects of ethephon on fruit coloration and

ripening, there are some adverse effects of ethephon on the shelf life

and the final fruit size depending on the time of application. On the

other hand, role of calcium in preserving the integrity of the cell wall

was frequently reported (Glenn and Poovahiah, 1986) and (Valero et

al., 2002).

Since unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid maintain the

fluidity of plasma membrane and its integrity, they could alleviate the

damaging effect of ethylene on fruit senescence, and halt the progress

of aging. The senescence of floral tissues was accompanied by a

decrease in the levels of polar lipids and a decrease in their synthesis

(Beutelmann and Kenlde, 1977 and Sylvester and Paulin, 1987). Thus

the objectives of this study were: To mitigate the adverse effects of

ethephon on apricot fruits by incorporating CaCl2 or oleic acid into the

applied solution, to investigate the possibility of using oleic acid as a

coloring and ripening agent of apricot fruits and to examine the effect

of applying treatments at color initiation on maturity and quality

parameters.

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MATERIALS AND METHODS

This research study was conducted during the two successive

seasons 2007 and 2008 using five years old Canino apricot trees

(Prunus armeniaca L.) spaced at 4×6 m. Trees were grown in private

orchard at Nubaria region, Beheira governorate, A.R.E. Eighteen

uniform trees, free from various physiological and pathological

disorders were selected for investigation. Trees were budded on

Balady apricot rootstock and received the standard agricultural

practices. Soil texture was sandy and drip irrigation system was

adopted. The trees received the treatment at one application time at the

early coloration stage (15-20% fruit colorationon May 23, 16 during

2007 and 2008, respectively). Treatments included water as the

control, ethephon at 200 ppm prepared from a stock solution of 48%

(w/v), oleic acid at 400 ppm, CaCl2 2 % (w/v) alone or in a

combination with either ethephon or oleic acid, the nonionic surfactant

Tween 80 at 0.1% (v/v) was added to all treatments. Trees were

sprayed to the run off using a hand sprayer. The studied treatments

were arranged in a factorial experiment in randomized complete block

design. Three replications were used for each treatment and one tree

represented one replication. Thus eighteen trees were used in this

study for the six treatments. Periodical random samples were collected

from each tree to monitor the changes in physical and chemical

characteristics throughout the growing season. The fruit parameters

were measured at weekly intervals during the entire growth season.

The average weight of ten fruits of each replication was determined.

The average fruit volume was measured using a graduated cylinder

containing tap water. Fruit length and fruit diameter (cm) were

measured using a Vernier caliper. The stones were extracted, washed,

air-dried and weighed. Fruit firmness was determined as (Ib/in2) using

Effigi pressure tester (mod. Ft327), then results of these measurements

were converted to (Newton) using the following equation: Newton=

Ib/in2

* 4.448. TSS% was determined in apricot fruit juice using a

hand refractometer. While the acidity was determining

calorimetrically based on estimated malic acid using five milliliters of

the fruit juice of each fruit sample and titrated with sodium hydroxide

solution of a known normality using phenolphthalein as an indicator

(A.O.A.C., 1985). Reduced sugars were determined according to the

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Lane and Eynon colorimetric method as described by (Egan et al.,

1981). Total sugars were determined by using the phenol sulfuric acid

method (Smith, 1956), and the concentration was calculated from a

standard curve of glucose mg. per gm. fresh weight of fruit tissue.

Chlorophylls a,b and Beta-Carotene were determined according to

(Winterman's and Mats, 1965) by using spectrophotometer. Data were

analyzed as a factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block

design with three replicates. Comparisons among means were made

via the Least Significant Differences multiple ranges (LSD) according

to Sendecor and Cochran (1980). The data were analyzed using SAS

(2000).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

I. The Treatment Factor: 1. A: Physical characteristics:

The fruit firmness of "Canino" apricot fruits at harvest as

influenced by the treatment factor was reported in Table 1. The data

indicated to a significant reduction occurred in such firmness by ethephon

treatment when compared with the control in both seasons. Moreover,

CaCl2-treated fruits possessed higher firmness than the control in a

consistent manner. Meanwhile, oleic acid-treated fruits at color initiation

(15-20% fruit coloration) did not vary in their firmness relative to the

control fruits in both seasons. When ethephon was applied in the presence

of CaCl2, greater fruit firmness was obtained at harvest as compared with

the application of ethephon alone, but resulted in a similar fruit firmness to

that obtained with the control. Thus, CaCl2 alleviated the adverse effect of

ethephon on fruit firmness at harvest. On the other hand, ethephon spray

combined with oleic acid resulted in fruit similar to that found with

ethephon or the control treatments. However, a significant increase in fruit

firmness was obtained by oleic acid spray as compared with ethephon-

treated ones. Thus, many desirable effects could be obtained by oleic acid

application without an adverse influence on fruit firmness at harvest. The

above findings agreed with Stino et al., (1972), Hertz (1979), Crassweller

(1982), Smith et al.,1985), Mann and Singh (1990) and El-Mahdy and

Abdalla (1995) who reported that sprays apple trees cv. Anna with

ethephon (200 ppm) 2 weeks before expected time of fruit ripening, treated

fruits was softened than control fruits.

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With regard to fruit size as influenced by applying the

treatments at 15-20% fruit coloration, The data revealed that all treatments

that were individually applied such as ethephon, CaCl2 or oleic acid did

not have a significant effect on fruit size at harvest when compared with

the control (Table 1). However, oleic acid-treated fruits had greater fruit

size than those treated with CaCl2 especially in the first season. The

incorporation of CaCl2 to ethephon did not give a significant change in

fruit size at harvest when compared with the application of ethephon alone.

In a similar way, the presence of oleic acid along with ethephon resulted in

a fruit size similar to that found with the application of ethephon alone. In

general, spraying at 15-20% fruit coloration did not have an appreciable

effect on fruit size at harvest even though the apricot fruit continue

growing in the third phase of the growth curve. The trend of results found

in this research was in line with that found by Gautam and Dhuria (1979)

who applied ethephon at 25, 50, 75, 100 or 150 ppm to fruiting apricot

shoots 15 days before the expected harvest, and found that fruit size was

not significantly affected. Basak et al., (1978) reported that applied

ethephon to apple trees of cvs. Close, Yellow Transparent, James Grieve

and McIntosh at 480 mg/ liter about 2 weeks before expected harvest,

sometimes reduced fruit size.

Changes in fruit weight of Canino apricots as influenced by

applied treatments at 15-20% fruit coloration was reported in Table 1. It

was evident that ethephon application did not affect fruit weight at harvest

when compared with the control. In a similar manner, the application of

either CaCl2 or oleic acid at color initiation did not have a considerable

influence on fruit weight relative to the control. Even the application of

ethephon in a formulation whether with CaCl2 or oleic acid did not make a

significant difference in fruit weight at harvest. In general, all treatments

resulted in similar fruit weight at harvest and in a consistent manner in both

seasons. Thus, the trend of fruit weight results was similar to that obtained

with fruit size. Such trend of results meant that the application of ethephon

or oleic acid at color initiation did not have an adverse effect on fruit

weight. The above trend of results agreed with Gautam and Dhuria (1979).

Fruit diameter data were tabulated in Table 1 to show the effect of

various treatments applied at 15-20% fruit coloration on such property.

The data revealed that ethephon treatment was not able to alter fruit

diameter in a significant manner as compared with the control. Similar

trend of results was found with CaCl2 treatment in both seasons. On the

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other hand, oleic acid treatment resulted in a considerable increase in fruit

diameter in both seasons as compared with that obtained with ethephon

treatment but not different from that found in the control fruits.

Furthermore, oleic acid treatment at 15-20% coloration resulted in greater

fruit diameter than that obtai9ned with that treated with ethephon plus

CaCl2 in both seasons. However, fruit diameter in ethephon-treated ones

was still similar to that obtained with the combination of ethephon plus

oleic acid. The above findings were consistent with those found in the

studies of (Gautam and Dhuria, 1979).

Response of fruit length to the application of various treatments at

15-20% coloration was shown in Table 1. The data indicated to an

insignificant change in fruit length as a result of ethephon spray as

compared with the control in both seasons. Furthermore, either CaCl2 or

oleic acid was able to induce a significant alteration in fruit length.

Furthermore, the combination of ethephon plus either CaCl2 or oleic acid

resulted in similar fruit length to that obtained with ethephon alone or the

control in a consistent manner. In general, various treatments were not able

to induce any considerable alteration in fruit length when applied at 15-

20% fruit coloration.

Such trend was in line with some other studies such as Ahmed and

Shaladan (1978 a).

The effect of various treatments, regardless the time on flesh

weight of "Canino" apricot fruits was reported in Table 1. Even though

treatments were applied at color initiation of Canino apricots, but

individual application of either ethephon, CaCl2 or oleic acid were not

effective on altering flesh weight as compared with the control in both

seasons. Even the combination of either ethephon plus CaCl2 or oleic acid

did not have any significant influence on flesh weight in both seasons.

Thus, all treatments and the control fruits had similar flesh weight.

Alterations in stone weight in response to the applied treatments at

15-20% fruit coloration, regardless the time factor, were reported in Table

1. Ethephon treatment did not result in a consistent pattern in both seasons

since it led to a smaller stone weight than that of the control in the first

season only with a tendency to obtain a smaller stone weight in the second

season relative to the control. Furthermore, CaCl2-treated fruits had

insignificant change in stone weight as compared with the control in both

seasons. Similar trend of results was obtained with oleic acid in terms of its

influence on stone weight when compared with the control fruits or those

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treated with either CaCl2 or ethephon. However, the combination of

ethephon plus CaCl2 resulted in smaller stone weight than that found with

the control fruits but similar to that found with ethephon-treated fruits.

Similarly, the formulation containing ethephon plus oleic acid caused a

significant reduction in stone weight as compared with that found in the

control.

The above findings were in line with (Gautam and Dhuria, 1979).

The effect of various treatments, regardless the time on the flesh to

stone ratio of "Canino" apricot fruits was reported in Table 1. The data

showed that flesh to stone ratio was not significantly influenced by either

ethephon, or CaCl2 or oleic acid when each was applied alone at 15-20%

fruit coloration when compared with the control in both seasons. Even

oleic acid-treated fruits did not significantly vary from those treated with

ethephon in their flesh to stone ratio. Furthermore, the combination of

ethephon plus CaCl2 resulted in similar flesh to stone ratio to that found

with ethephon-treated fruits. However, the application of ethephon plus

oleic acid at such stage was able to significantly increase the flesh/ stone

ratio in a consistent manner when compared with those of the control but

was not superior to those treated with ethephon plus CaCl2.

1. B. Chemical Characteristics:

Chlorophyll a content of Canino apricot fruits as influenced by

various treatments at 15-20% coloration was reported in Table 2. The data

revealed that ethephon caused a significant reduction in chlorophyll a in

both seasons as compared with the control. Similar reduction of

chlorophyll a in fruit skin was obtained by oleic acid treatment relative to

the control even though chlorophyll a of ethephon and oleic acid-treated

fruits was not significantly different in both seasons. On the other hand,

CaCl2 treatment did not cause a consistent alteration in chlorophyll content

as the results of the two seasons were compared. The combination of

ethephon plus either CaCl2 or oleic acid resulted in chlorophyll a content

similar to that obtained with ethephon alone. Moreover, such combinations

caused a significant reduction in chlorophyll a when compared with the

control. Furthermore, chlorophyll b in apricot fruit skin of Canino cultivar

was tabulated and reported in Table 2. The data showed that all treatments

did not result in a significant change in chlorophyll b as compared with the

control. Even within treatments, there was no treatment that was superior

to the others in terms of its influence on chlorophyll b content. Thus, the

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considerable change in chlorophylls was obtained only in chlorophyll a at

harvest. These results agreed with Huybrechts et al., (2003).

Changes in carotene content as influenced by various treatments

applied at 15-20% coloration of Canino apricot fruits was reported in Table

2. It was evident that ethephon-treated fruits had significantly higher

carotenes in the skin than that of the control in both seasons. Furthermore,

the application of either CaCl2 or oleic acid resulted in significant increase

in carotenes as compared with the control. However, oleic acid-treated

fruits caused the formation of more carotenes than that formed by CaCl2

but lower than that formed by ethephon in both seasons. On the other hand,

the combination of ethephon plus either CaCl2 or oleic acid resulted in

similar carotenes to each others but much higher than that obtained in the

control or CaCl2-treated fruits. The above findings were in agreement with

several authors such as Schomer et al., (1971), Chundawat et al., (1978),

Sharma (1978), Smith and Johnson (1985), (Mann and Singh (1990),

Prinja (1990), El-Mahdy and Abdalla (1995), Singh et al., (2002) and

Huybrechts et al., (2003) who reported that ethephon enhanced ethylene

production and stimulated progressive loss of chlorophyll and gain of

carotenoids.

With regard to total sugars data as influenced by various treatments

applied at 15-20% coloration to Canino apricot fruits, the data revealed that

ethephon caused a significant increase in total sugars relative to the control

in both seasons (Table 2). Meanwhile, either CaCl2 or oleic acid resulted

in insignificant change in total sugars when compared with the control and

led to the formation of total sugars less than that obtained with ethephon

treatment. Moreover, the application of ethephon in a formulation plus

either CaCl2 or oleic acid did not lead to a total sugars in Canino fruits

different from that found in ethephon-treated fruits. This trend of results

was in agreement with El-Mahdy and Abdalla (1995), El-salhy (1996) and

Singh et al., (2002).

Response of reducing sugars to applied treatments at 15-20%

coloration was tabulated and reported in Table 2. It was evident that there

was a significant increase in reducing sugars caused by ethephon compared

with the control in both seasons. CaCl2-treated fruits, however, had lower

reducing sugars than that found in the control fruits. Furthermore, oleic

acid treatment resulted in a significant increase in reducing sugars as

compared with the control or CaCl2-treated fruits in both seasons. The

application of ethephon in a formulation containing either CaCl2 or oleic

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acid attained similar content of reducing sugars but caused considerable

increase in such sugars relative to the control fruits. Meanwhile, ethephon

applications either alone or plus CaCl2 or oleic acid gave similar reducing

sugars in the Canino fruits in a consistent manner.

The effect of applied treatments at 15-20% coloration of "Canino"

apricot fruits on non-reducing sugars was reported in Table 2. The data

showed that such sugars were not significantly affected by any of the

individual application of either ethephon, CaCl2 or oleic acid when

compared with the control. Meanwhile, none of the mentioned treatments

was superior to the others with regard to its influence on non-reducing

sugars. In a similar manner, the application of ethephon in a combination

containing either CaCl2 or oleic acid was not able to significantly alter the

percentage of non-reducing sugars as compared with the control or the sole

application of ethephon. Hence, all treatments were equally effective on

non-reducing sugars and had similar effect to that of the control. Such

trend of results agreed with El-Mahdy and Abdalla (1995).

The total soluble solids data of "Canino" apricot fruits as

influenced by various treatments applied at 15-20% coloration were

reported in Table 2. It was found that ethephon caused a significant

increase in soluble solids at harvest when compared with the control. The

sprayed CaCl2, however, was not effective in altering the soluble solids

percentage. Meanwhile, oleic acid-treated fruits attained higher TSS than

that obtained with either the control or CaCl2 treated fruits, but

significantly lower than that found with ethephon treatment. The

incorporation of either CaCl2 or oleic acid into ethephon solution did not

result in further increase in TSS content as compared with applying

ethephon alone. Both formulations resulted in TSS content similar to that

attained by oleic acid alone. The above findings agreed with those reported

by Mann et al., (1990), El-salhy (1996) and Singh et al., (2002).

The influence of various treatments applied at 15-20% coloration

on juice acidity of "Canino" apricot fruits was shown in Table 2. The data

proved that ethephon treatment at such stage caused a significant reduction

in juice acidity when compared with the control in both seasons, However,

CaCl2 treatment did not alter juice acidity since it was similar to that found

in the control fruits. Furthermore, oleic acid-treated fruits had juice acidity

considerably lower than that of the control or CaCl2-treated fruits.

Meanwhile, the application of ethephon plus either CaCl2 or oleic acid

resulted in similar juice acidity to that found with oleic acid alone or

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ethephon alone in the second season. Thus, the effect of ethephon was

dominant on juice acidity whether applied alone or in the presence of

CaCl2 or oleic acid. Previous studies were in line with these findings such

as the studies of Schomer et al., (1971), Smith and Johnson (1985), El-

Salhy (1996), Mann and Singh (1990) and Singh et al., (2002).

The TSS/ acidity ratio was tabulated and reported in Table 2 to

show its response to various treatments applied at 15-20% fruit coloration.

The data revealed that "Canino" apricots treated with ethephon had greater

TSS/ acidity ratio than the control in both seasons. However, such ratio did

not significantly change by CaCl2 application at such stage of

development. Meanwhile, oleic acid was able to significantly increase

TSS/ acidity ratio relative to the control fruits, even though ethephon-

treated fruits attained higher ratio than those treated with oleic acid. When

the combination of ethephon plus CaCl2 was compared with ethephon

alone in terms of their effect on TSS to acidity, such combination attained

higher ratio only in the first season while in the second season they had

similar effect on the TSS to acidity ratio. The typical trend was obtained

when the ratio obtained by ethephon alone was compared with that

obtained with the combination of ethephon plus oleic acid. These findings

were in agreement with those reported by El-Salhy (1996).

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2. The interaction between treatments and the time:

2. A. Physical characteristics:

Fruit firmness of "Canino" apricot fruits as influenced by the

interaction between applied treatments at 15-20% coloration and the time

was reported in Tables 3, 4. The data showed that after one week of spray,

all treated fruits did not significantly vary from the control in both seasons.

This was also the case after two weeks of spray. However, within

treatments, in both seasons, CaCl2-treated fruits had greater firmness than

those treated with ethephon whether after one or two weeks of spray.

Similarly, the combination of ethephon plus CaCl2 led to greater fruit

firmness than that treated with ethephon alone after one and two weeks of

the application. Oleic acid-treated fruits, however, did not necessarily

cause greater firmness than ethephon at each of the two weeks after spray,

whether applied alone or combined with ethephon.

With regards to the effect of the interaction between the treatments

and time on fruit size of "Canino" apricot fruits (Tables 3, 4), the data

indicated that there was a significant increase in fruit size between the first

and the second week of spray in the control fruits, oleic acid-treated fruits,

and CaCl2-treated fruits. However, the application of ethephon alone or in

the presence of either CaCl2 or oleic acid did not cause a consistent

increase between week one and two following the spray. Even after one or

two weeks of spray, various treatments did not cause a significant increase

in fruit size as compared with the control. That was the case in the second

week of spray, where each of the treatments did not attain a significant

difference from the control in terms of fruit size.

With regard to the effect of the interaction between applied

treatments at 15- 20% coloration and the time factor on fruit weight of

"Canino" apricot fruits, the data (Tables 3, 4) revealed that there was

insignificant increase between the first and the second week following

spray with various used treatments in the first season. However, such

increase was significant with all treatments and the control in the second

season. None of the treatments, however, was superior in terms of fruit

weight at harvest as compared with the control two weeks following the

applications. Even ethephon treatment in the two weeks following the

spray at 15- 20% coloration did not lead to any adverse effect on fruit

weight. In a similar manner, oleic acid-treated fruits tended to have greater

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fruit weight two weeks after the application in the two seasons but did not

vary significantly from the control or ethephon-treated fruits.

Fruit diameter data (Tables 3, 4) as influenced by the interaction

between the applied treatments at 15-20% coloration and the time factor

indicated to non-significant change after one week of spray by all

treatments in both seasons relative to the control. This was the case after

two weeks of the application. However, between the two weeks of spray

the fruit diameter significantly increased in the control fruits, CaCl2-treated

fruits, and ethephon plus either CaCl2 or oleic acid-treated fruits after two

weeks of spray tended to consistently increase in fruit diameter but was not

superior to that value of ethephon-treated fruits.

The influence of the interaction between applied treatments at 15-

20% coloration and the time factor on fruit length of "Canino" apricots was

reported in Tables 3, 4. Fruit length, after one week of spray, did not vary

among various treatments and the control in both seasons. In other words,

none of the treatments tended to have a considerable change in fruit length

after one week of the application. In each treatment, no significant

alteration in fruit length was obtained between the first and the second

week of spray except with CaCl2 treatment in the first season. Apparently,

there was no influence over time by any of the used treatments on fruit

length. This generalization was also true in the control fruits. Thus, none of

the treatments led to any considerable elongation of the fruit over time after

the application (Tables 3, 4).

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Concerning the effect of the interaction between applied treatments

at 15-20% coloration and the time factor on "Canino" apricot fruits, the

data in Tables 5, 6 revealed that after one week of spray, all treatments

attained similar flesh weight compared to the control except with those

fruits treated with oleic acid in the second season. However, by the second

week of application, a significant alteration in flesh weight occurred in the

control fruits and the treatments in a consistent manner in both seasons.

Furthermore, oleic acid-treated fruits tended to have greater flesh weight

than those fruits treated with ethephon or the control ones but such increase

was not significant even after two weeks of spray.

Stone weight data in the fruits of "Canino" apricots as influenced

by the interaction between applied treatments at 15-20% coloration and the

time factor were reported in Tables 5, 6. The data revealed that there was

no significant change in stone weight of "Canino" treated fruits after one

week of spray relative to the control in both seasons. Even stone weight of

ethephon-treated fruits did not vary from those treated with oleic acid alone

or plus ethephon. Even between the two weeks, there was a general trend

of stable stone weight in the control fruits and in most treatments, since the

application was done after pit hardening in the second phase of fruit

growth.

With regard to the response of the ratio between flesh to stone of

"Canino" apricot fruits as influenced by the interaction between the

treatments and the time it was evident from the data shown in Tables 5, 6

that after one week of spray, flesh to stone ratio of the control fruit did not

significantly vary from that of the treatments in both seasons. Even with in

the treatments, none of them was able to promote the increase in the flesh

to stone ratio over the others. However, as the time progressed, fruits of the

control attained a significant increase in flesh to stone ratio relative to the

first week of spray especially in the first season. Moreover, other

treatments did not attain a consistent increase in flesh to stone ratio in both

seasons. Thus, flesh to stone ratio of treatments such as ethephon, CaCl2,

oleic acid or even the combinations of ethephon plus CaCl2 or oleic acid

had similar flesh to stone ratio after two weeks of spray.

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2. B. Chemical characteristics:

Chlorophyll a content data of "Canino" apricot fruits as influenced


time factor was reported in Tables 7, 8. The data revealed that there was no

significant difference between chlorophyll a after one and two weeks of

spray in the control fruits and all other used treatments in both seasons.

However, after only one week of spray treated with either ethephon, oleic

acid, and ethephon in the presence of either CaCl2 or oleic acid had

significantly lower chlorophyll a content than that of the control.

Furthermore, CaCl2-treated fruits had similar chlorophyll a content to that

found in the control fruits after one week of spray. That was the case after

two weeks of spray since all treatments, except CaCl2, resulted in lower

chlorophyll a content than the control in both seasons.

With regard to chlorophyll b content as influenced by the

interaction between applied treatments and the time factor, the data in

Tables 7, 8 showed that the progress in chlorophyll b development

between the first and the second week of spray was not significant in

ethephon or oleic acid-treated fruits in both seasons. However, there was a

significant reduction in chlorophyll b during this period in CaCl2 in a

consistent manner. The change in chlorophyll b in the control fruits

between the two weeks following spray did not follow a consistent trend.

Moreover, the difference in chlorophyll b between the control and all other

treated fruits after one week of spray was not significant. Moreover, no

significant difference was found, after 2 weeks of spray, between treated

fruits and the control in their chlorophyll b content. All treated fruits had

similar content of chlorophyll b after 2 weeks of spray.

Differences in carotene content in apricot fruits as influenced by

the interaction between various treatments and the time factor were

tabulated and reported in Tables 7, 8. The data revealed that there was a

significant increase in carotenes between the first and the second week

following spray in the control fruits, and all other treated fruits except with

those treated with oleic acid. This was a consistent trend when the results

of the two seasons were compared. After one week of spray, all treated

fruits, except with CaCl2, attained significantly higher carotene content

than the control. Moreover, even after one week of spray, ethephon-treated

fruit attained significantly greater carotenes than those treated with either

CaCl2, oleic acid, or ethephon plus CaCl2 or oleic acid. In the second week

following spray, all treated fruits had significantly higher carotenes than

58


those found in the control in both seasons. However, ethephon-treated

fruits contained higher carotenes than those treated with either oleic acid or

ethephon in the presence of oleic acid in both seasons. The incorporation of

CaCl2 into ethephon solution, however, resulted in similar carotenes to that

found with ethephon-treated fruits.

Concerning the response of total sugars in "Canino" apricot fruits

to the interaction between the treatments and the time factor, the data

reported in Tables 9, 10 indicated that when ethephon was applied alone or

in the presence of either CaCl2 or oleic acid, there was a significant

increase in total sugars between the first and second week of spray.

However, oleic acid-treated fruits had similar total sugars when the data of

the first and second week of spray were compared. In the control and

CaCl2-treated fruits, there was no consistent manner with regard the

change in total sugars between the first and the second week of spray. The

data indicated to similar total sugars among all treatments and the control

(Tables 9, 10). In the second week following the spray, the only significant

increase in total sugars was found in those fruits treated with either

ethephon alone or in the presence of CaCl2 or oleic acid as compared with

the control. Ethephon-treated fruits were superior in total sugars relative to

those treated with oleic acid in both seasons in the second week of spray.

However, all ethephon containing solutions caused similar effect on total

sugars in the second week relative to the control fruits.

With regard to reducing sugars of "Canino" apricot fruits as

influenced by the interaction between the applied treatments at 15-20%

coloration and the time factor, the data demonstrated that (Tables 9, 10)

reducing sugars in the fruit did not considerably change between the first

and the second weeks of spray whether in the control or treated fruits. Even

after one week of spray, control and treated fruits did not significantly vary

in their reducing sugars content in both seasons. This was the case in the

second week of spray. Thus, no treatment induced considerable variations

in these sugars over time after spray.

59


60


61


62


The data concerning the effect of the interaction between the

treatments and the time factor on non-reducing sugars of "Canino" apricot

fruits sprayed at 15-20% coloration were reported in Tables 9, 10. It was

evident that non-reducing sugars significantly increased between the first

and the second weeks of spray whether in the control or treated fruits. Even

after one week of spray, control and treated fruits did not vary in their non-

reducing sugars content. None of the treatments were able to induce

considerable changes in such sugars after one week of spray. However, in

the second spray, ethephon-treated fruits had significantly greater non-

reducing sugars as compared with those treated with either CaCl2 or oleic

acid but was still similar in its effect on such sugars to those fruits treated

with ethephon containing formulations such as ethephon plus CaCl2 or

plus oleic acid.

The changes in total soluble solids in "Canino" apricot fruits in

response to the interaction between applied treatments at 15-20%

coloration and the time factor were shown in Tables 9, 10. The data

revealed that there was a significant increase in the TSS between the first

and second weeks of spray whether in the control or treated fruits in both

seasons. However, after one week of spray, ethephon alone or in the

presence of either CaCl2 or oleic acid were able to significantly increase

the TSS in the fruit as compared with the control. Meanwhile, there was no

significant difference after one week of spray between the control fruits

and CaCl2 or oleic acid-treated fruits in their TSS content in both seasons.

Furthermore, in the second week of spray, oleic acid-treated fruits as well

as those treated with ethephon alone or in a formulation with either CaCl2

or oleic acid caused a significant increase in TSS as compared with the

control. Meanwhile, no significant difference was found in TSS between

those fruits treated with ethephon or oleic acid at the second week after

spray. Thus, oleic acid-treated fruits were comparable with those treated

with ethephon alone or in a combination with CaCl2 or oleic acid in their

TSS in both seasons.

Variations in fruit acidity of "Canino" apricot cultivar as influenced


time were reported in Tables 9, 10. The data indicated that the decline in

acidity started in the first week after spray but was considerable in

ethephon and oleic acid-treated fruits especially in the first season.

However, after two weeks of spray, all treatments, except CaCl2 led to a

significant decline in fruit acidity in both seasons as compared with the

63


control. Thus, CaCl2-treated fruits had acidity similar to that found in the

control and was significantly higher than that found in other treatments

after 2 weeks of the applications. Furthermore, acidity of both ethephon or

oleic acid-treated fruits did not significantly vary from each other after 2

weeks of spray. Moreover, fruit acidity of ethephon-treated fruits was, in

general, similar to that found in those treated with the combination of

ethephon in the presence of either CaCl2 or oleic acid.

Changes in the ratio between TSS and acidity as influenced by

the interaction between applied treatments at 15-20% coloration and the

time in Canino apricot cultivar were reported in Tables 9, 10. The data

showed that these changes were consistently significant between the first

and the second weeks of spray with oleic acid treatment and ethephon

formulations (when applied plus CaCl2 or oleic acid). However, such ratio

was still lower in oleic acid-treated fruits as compared with those treated

with ethephon after one week of spray. Moreover, after two weeks of

spray, there was a significant increase in TSS to acidity ratio caused by

either ethephon, oleic acid, and the formulations containing ethephon plus

CaCl2 or oleic acid as compared with the control. Meanwhile, CaCl2-

treated fruits did not vary in their TSS/ acidity from that found in the

control after two weeks of the application (Tables 9, 10).

64


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67


الملخص العربى

تأثير بعض المعامالت قبل الجمع على جودة و نضج ثمار المشمش من

الصنف كانينو

ثانيا: المعاملة عند بدء التلوين

سعيد دمحم عطيه –عمرو دمحم هيكل –كريم دمحم فرج

-ور، دمنهد22512جامعة دمنهور، رقم صندوق بريدد -، كلية الزراعة)فاكهة( قسم البساتين

مصر.

ستهدفت هذه الدراسة بحث تدثيير المعاملدة بدافيي ون بم درده يو فدي تركيبدات مد حمد اافوليددا او كلوريددد الكالسدديوم علددن جددودر ونمددش يمددار الميددمع مددن صددن كددانينو عندددما تمددت

% تلون لليمار(. لقد كان من المرورى اجراء دراسة دقيقدة 20-15المعامالت عند بداية التلوين ) يد تايير المعاملة بافيي ون فن بداية المرحلة اليالية من منحنن نمدو اليمدرر بسدبل ال دال حدو لتحد

عندد 2002، 2002مدى تاييرر فن تلا المرحلة. يجريت هذه الدراسة ال الموسدمين المتتداليين % تلددون لبيددرر اليمددار. وتددم الددرع باسددت دام الريايددة اليدويددة حتددن نق ددة 20-15الوصددو الددن

جزء في المليدون يو 200الجريان الس حن، وقد ايبتت النتائش ان المعاملة بافيي ون بم ردر بتركيز جزء فن المليدون قدد 000% )وزن/حجم( اوحم افوليا بتركيز 2في وجود كلوريد الكالسيوم

ادت لحدوث نقص معنوي لك من وزن النوار، ومحتوى كلوروفي ا، وحمومة العصدير بالمقارندة بددالكنترو ، بينمددا زاد محتددوى الكاروتينددات، السددكريات الكليددة، السددكريات الم تزلددة، نسددبة المددواد الصددلبة الذائبددة و النسددبة بددين المددواد الصددلبة الذائبددة والحمومددة فددي اليمددار، ومددن جهددة ا ددرى فددان

مدن التركيبة المحتوية علن افيي ون في وجود حم افوليدا لدم تسدبل حددوث تميدر معندوي لكد حجم اليمدار وق رهدا و ولهدا ووزنهدا ووزن اللحدم عندد الق د بينمدا زادت نسدبة اللحدم الدن الندوار وكذلا لم يتمير معنويا محتوى كلوروفي ل بالمقارنة م الكنترو . باإلمافة لدذلا وجدد ان اليمدار

لكاروتيندات جزء في المليون قد ادت لزيادر محتوى ا 000المعاملة بحم افوليا بم ردر بتركيز والسكريات الم تزلة والمواد الصلبة الذائبة وكذلا النسبة بينها إلن الحمومة بينمدا تنداقص محتدوى كلوروفي ا والحمومة بالمقارنات التي تمت م الكنترو ، وقد وجد ايما اند لدم يحددث تميدر فدي

ين وزن اللحدم الدن صالبة ينسجة اليمدار وحجمهدا وق رهدا و ولهدا ووزنهدا ووزن اللحدم والنسدبة بدوزن النوار نتيجة المعاملة بحم افوليا بم ردر كما ادت تلا المعاملة فدي تلدا المرحلدة مدن نمدو اليمار لعدم حدوث تمير معنوي في كلوروفي ل وكدذلا السدكريات الم تزلدة والكليدة بالمقارندة مد

افوليدا او بحمد افوليدا يمار الكنترو ، ويمكن استنتاج ان المعاملة بافيي ون في وجدود حمد الددن TSSبم ددردر عنددد بدايددة التلددون ذات تددثييرات مرحوبددة علددن تحسددين تلددوين اليمددار ونسددبة ا

الحمومددة دون التددثيير سددلبيا علددن حجمهددا او صددالبة لحددم اليمددار عنددد الجمدد بينمددا تناقصددت تلددا معنويدا عندد المعاملدة فدي تلدا الصالبة معنويا عند الرع بافيي ون بم ردر بينما لم يتمير حجم اليمار

المرحلة م بداية التلوين. وبذلا توصن الدراسة باست دام التركيبة المكونة مدن افيي دون فدن وجدود % تلوين لليمار( للحصو علن النتائش اففم من حيث 20-15حم افوليا عند بداية التلوين )

.تلوين ونمش اليمار وص ات جودتها عند الجم

68


6


Table (1) Physical characteristics of "Canino" apricot fruits as influenced by various applied treatments at 15-20 % fruit coloration during the two seasons

2007 and 2008.

Treatment

Firmness

(Newton)

Size**

(cm3)

Diameter

(cm)

Length

(cm)

Weight of 10

fruits

(gm)

Stone weight of 10

stones

(gm)

Flesh weight of 10

fruits

(gm)

Flesh/Stone

Ratio %

2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008

Control 55.691

bc

60.63

b

372.5

ab

376.66

a

4.001

abc

4.005

abc

4.055

a

3.943

a

373.53

a

378.917

a

23.661

a

23.908

a

349.6

a

355.08

a

14.833

b

14.891

b

Ethephon

200 ppm

49.819

d

53.58

c

384.17

a

373.33

a

3.956

bc

3.968

bc

3.973

a

3.893

a

370

a

375.768

a

22.226

bc

22.818

ab

347.78

a

352.95

a

15.682

ab

15.532

ab

CaCl2 2%

62.176

a

68.055

a

355

b

375

a

3.995

abc

3.995

abc

3.991

a

3.921

a

370.33

a

282.433

a

23.210

ab

23.423

ab

347.32

a

359.01

a

15.076

ab

15.355

ab

Oleic acid 400 ppm

56.527 b

60.20 b

385.83 a

381.66 a

4.066 a

4.055 a

4.096 a

4.031 a

382.06 a

390.41 a

22.815 abc

22.665 ab

359.24 a

367.74 a

15.863 ab

16.276 ab

Ethephon

200 ppm

+ CaCl2 2%

58.743

ab

64.585

ab

375.83

ab

372.50

a

3.933

c

3.938

c

3.956

a

3.871

a

3654.02

a

374.302

a

21.705

c

21.931

b

343.31

a

352.37

a

15.874

ab

16.163

ab

Ethephon

200 ppm

+ Oleic acid

400 ppm

51.174

cd

58.72

bc

386.83

a

378.0

a

4.033

ab

4.038

ab

4.053

a

3.993

a

376.86

a

383.41

a

21.521

c

22.070

b

355.33

a

361.255

a

16.570

a

16.527

a

* First sampling was done one week following the treatments during 2007 and 2008 seasons, respectively.

*Values, within a column, of similar letters are not significantly different according to the least significant difference (LSD) at 0.05 levels.

* Newton=Ib/in2 × 4.448.

Table (2): Chemical characteristics of "Canino" apricot fruits as influenced by various applied treatments at 15-20 % fruit coloration during the two

seasons 2007 and 2008.

Treatment

Chlorophyll

a (mg/ L)

Chlorophyll

b (mg/ L)

Carotene

(mg/ 100 gm)

Total

Sugars % Reducing sugars %

Non-reducing Sugars

% TSS% Acidity % TSS/Acidity%

2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008

Control 0.411

a

0.439

a

0.083

a

0.089

a

2.268

d

2.255

d

5.891

b

6.391

b

0.765

c

1.015

c

5.126

a

5.381

a

10.2

c

11.45

c

0.598

a

0.805

a

17.08

d

14.44

c

Ethephon

200 ppm

0.268

c

0.297

c

0.093

a

0.099

a

3.221

a

3.208

a

6.866

a

7.371

a

1.098

a

1.348

a

5.768

a

6.023

a

13

a

13.63

a

0.450

c

0.670

b

29.14

a

20.34

a

CaCl2 2%

0.357

b

0.391

ab

0.110

a

0.116

a

2.499

c

2.486

c

5.714

b

6.219

b

0.796

c

1.046

c

4.917

a

5.172

a

10.38

c

11.583

c

0.611

a

0.791

a

16.96

d

14.36

c

Oleic acid 400 ppm

0.300 c

0.342 bc

0.099 a

0.105 a

2.748 b

2.735 b

5.925 b

6.43 b

0.956 b

1.208 b

4.966 a

5.221 a

11.56 b

12.66 b

0.446 b

0.713 b

23.46 c

17.79 b

Ethephon

200 ppm

+

CaCl2 2%

0.310

bc

0.351

bc

0.106

a

0.112

a

2.911

b

2.898

b

6.339

ab

6.844

ab

1.081

a

1.331

a

5.257

a

5.512

a

12.7

a

13.3

ab

0.510

b

0.668

b

25.43

bc

19.94

a

Ethephon

200 ppm

+ Oleic acid

400 ppm

0.299

c

0.328

c

0.111

a

0.117

a

2.724

b

2.711

b

6.421

ab

6.926

ab

1.064

ab

1.314

ab

5.357

a

5.612

a

12.5

a

13.23

ab

0.496

b

0.680

b

25.84

b

19.53

a

* First sampling was done one week following the treatments during 2007 and 2008 seasons, respectively.

* Values, within a column, of similar letters are not significantly different according to the least significant difference (LSD) at 0.05 levels.

Table (3):Fruit firmness (Newton), size (cm

3)** , weight (gm), diameter (cm) and length (cm) of

"Canino" apricot fruits as influenced by the interaction between applied treatments at 15-20%

coloration and time during 2007 season.

Treatment

Fruit firmness

(Newton)*

Fruit size

(cm3)**

Fruit weight

(gm)**

Fruit diameter

(cm)

Fruit length

(cm)

First

week

2007

Second

week

2007

First

week

2007

Second

week

2007

First

week

2007

Second

week

2007

First

week

2007

Second

week

2007

First

week

2007

Second

week

2007

Control 48.18

acd

53.2

def

351.66

de

393.33

abc

357.27

b

389.24

ab

3.97

abc

4.036

ab

3.95

bcde

4.16

ab

Ethephon

200 ppm

53.06

def

48.57

f

378.33

abcd

390

abc

356.45

b

383.54

ab

3.95

bc

3.963

abc

3.873

de

4.073

abcd

CaCl2 2%

64.67

a

59.67

abcd

318.333

e

391.66

abc

355.69

b

385.36

ab

3.956

bc

4.033

abc

3.876

cde

4.106

ab

Oleic acid

400 ppm

58.78

acd

54.26

cdef

360.00

cd

411.66

a

359.62

ab

404.48

a

4.036

ab

4.096

a

4.013

abcde

4.18

a

Ethephon

200 ppm

+ CaCl2

2%

60.77

abc

56.71

cde

363.33

cd

388.33

abc

354.77

b

375.26

ab

3.9

c

3.966

abc

3.85

e

4.063

abcde

Ethephon

200 ppm

+ Oleic

acid 400

ppm

54.25

cdef

48.09

f

370.33

bcd

403.33

ab

356.74

b

396.97

ab

4

abc

4.066

ab

3.99

bcde

4.116

ab

* First sampling was done one week following the treatments during 2007 season.

* Values, of similar letters are not significantly different according to the least significant difference (LSD) at 0.05

levels.

* Newton= Ib/ in2 × 4.448. ** Mean of 10 fruits.

11


Table (4):Fruit firmness (Newton), size (cm3)** , weight (gm), diameter (cm) and length (cm) of

"Canino" apricot fruits as influenced by the interaction between applied treatments at 15-20%

coloration and time during 2008 season. Treatment Fruit firmness

(Newton)*

Fruit size

(cm3)**

Fruit weight

(gm)**

Fruit diameter

(cm)

Fruit length

(cm)

First

week

2008

Second

week

2008

First

week

2008

Second

week

2008

First

week

2008

Second

week

2008

First

week

2008

Second

week

2008

First

week

2008

Second

week

2008

Control 64.699

abcd

56.571

def

351.66

b

401.66

a

358.88

d

398.95

a

3.943

cd

4.066

ab

3.92

ab

3.96

ab

Ethephon

200 ppm

58.749

cde

48.423

f

350

b

396.66

a

356.91

d

394.62

ab

3.916

d

4.020

abcd

3.86

ab

3.926

ab

CaCl2 2%

73.244

a

62.865

bcd

350

b

400

a

367.5

cd

397.36

ab

3.933

d

4.0566

abc

3.89

ab

3.95

ab

Oleic acid

400 ppm

69.047

a

51.359

ef

353.33

b

410

a

373.96

bcd

406.85

a

4

abcd

4.106

a

3.97

ab

4.093

a

Ethephon

200 ppm

+ CaCl2

2%

71.168

a

58.002

cde

350

b

395

a

356.89

d

391.713

abc

3.91

d

3.97

bcd

3.786

b

3.956

ab

Ethephon

200 ppm

+ Oleic

acid 400

ppm

65.978

abc

51.463

ef

352.66

b

403.33

a

365.256

d

401.393

a

3.97

bcd

4.103

a

3.956

ab

4.030

a



levels.

* Newton= Ib/ in2 × 4.448. ** Mean of 10 fruits.

12


13


Table (5): Fruit flesh weight (gm)**, stone weight (gm) and flesh/ stone ratio (%)of "Canino"

apricot fruits as influenced by the interaction between applied treatments at 15-20% coloration and

time during 2007 season.

Treatment

Fruit flesh weight (gm)** Fruit stone weight (gm) Fruit flesh/ stone ratio

(%)

First week

2007

Second

week

2007

First week

2007

Second

week

2007

First

week

2007

Second

week

2007

Control 332.77

b

366.42

a

24.05

a

22.82

ab

13.58

de

16.086

abc

Ethephon 200

ppm

333.63

b

361.91

a

22.82

ab

21.63

bc

14.62

bcde

16.74

ab

CaCl2 2%

330.99

b

363.64

a

24.7

a

21.72

bc

13.402

e

16.75

ab

Oleic acid 400

ppm

335.55

b

382.92

a

24.07

a

21.56

bc

13.92

cde

17.802

a

Ethephon 200

ppm

+ CaCl2 2%

331.98

b

354.63

a

22.79

ab

20.61

c

14.56

bcde

17.18

a

Ethephon 200

ppm

+ Oleic acid 400

ppm

335.35

b

375.316

a

21.39

ab

21.65

bc

15.7

abcd

17.43

a



levels.

** Mean of 10 fruits.

14


Table (6): Fruit flesh weight (gm)**, stone weight (gm) and flesh/ stone ratio (%)of "Canino"


time during 2008 season. Treatment Fruit flesh weight (gm)** Fruit stone weight (gm) Fruit flesh/ stone ratio

(%)

First week

2008

Second

week

2008

First week

2008

Second week

2008

First

week

2008

Second

week

2008

Control 334.53

c

375.48

ab

24.34

a

23.47

ab

13.768

d

16.01

abcd

Ethephon 200

ppm

333.37

c

372.52

ab

23.54

ab

22.09

ab

14.206

d

16.858

ab

CaCl2 2%

344.01

c

374.01

ab

23.48

ab

23.36

ab

14.657

cd

16.052

abcd

Oleic acid 400

ppm

351.07

b

384.42

a

22.89

ab

22.43

ab

15.409

abcd

17.143

ab

Ethephon 200

ppm

+ CaCl2 2%

334.39

c

370.4

ab

22.55

ab

21.31

b

14.95

bcd

17.377

ab

Ethephon 200

ppm

+ Oleic acid 400

ppm

342.43

c

380.08

a

22.82

ab

21.31

b

15.16

bcd

17.891

a



levels.

** Mean of 10 fruits.

15


Table (7): Chlorophyll a, b (mg/ L), and Carotene (mg/100 gm) of "Canino" apricot fruits

as influenced by the interaction between applied treatments at 15-20% coloration and time

during 2007 season.

Treatment

Chlorophyll a (mg/ L) Chlorophyll b (mg/ L) Carotene (mg/ 100 gm)

First week

2007

Second

week

2007

First week

2007

Second

week

2007

First

week 2007

Second

week

2007

Control 0.426

a

0.396

ab

0.112

abcd

0.053

d

2.070

g

2.465

ef

Ethephon 200

ppm

0.284

de

0.251

e

0.122

ab

0.065

bcd.

3.057

bc

3.383

a

CaCl2 2%

0.378

abc

0.336

bcd

0.158

a

.

0.063

bcd

2.222

fg

2.777

cd

Oleic acid 400

ppm

0.329

bcd

0.272

de

0.113

abc

0.086

bcd

2.619

d

2.877

bcd

Ethephon 200

ppm

+ CaCl2 2%

0.338

bcd

0.283

de

0.146

a

0.065

bcd

2.684

d

3.138

a

Ethephon 200

ppm

+ Oleic acid 400

ppm

0.315

cde

0.283

bc

0.165

a

0.057

cd

2.395

ef

3.052

bc



levels.

16


Table (8): Chlorophyll a, b (mg/ L), and Carotene (mg/100 gm) of "Canino" apricot fruits as

influenced by the interaction between applied treatments at 15-20% coloration and time during

2008 season. Treatment Chlorophyll a (mg/ L) Chlorophyll b (mg/ L) Carotene (mg/ 100 gm)

First week

2008

Second

week

2008

First week

2008

Second week

2008

First

week

2008

Second

week

2008

Control 0.435

a

0.443

a

0.119

abc

0.058

d

2.055

h

2.454

efg

Ethephon 200

ppm

0.293

c

0.301

c

0.129

ab

0.070

bcd

3.042

bc

3.74

a

CaCl2 2%

0.387

a

0.395

a

0.165

a

0.068

cd

2.207

gh

2.766

cd

Oleic acid 400

ppm

0.338

bc

0.346

bc

0.120

abc

0.091

bcd

2.604

def

2.866

bcd

Ethephon 200

ppm

+ CaCl2 2%

0.347

bc

0.355

bc

0.153

a

0.070

bcd

2.669

def

3.127

a

Ethephon 200

ppm

+ Oleic acid 400

ppm

0.324

bc

0.332

bc

0.172

a

0.062

cd

2.380

fg

3.041

bc



levels.

17


Table (9): Total sugars (%), reducing sugars (%) and non-reducing sugars (%) of "Canino" apricot

fruits as influenced by the interaction between applied treatments at 15-20% coloration and time

during 2007 season.

Treatment

Total sugars (%) Reducing sugars (%) Non-reducing sugars

(%)

First week

2007 *

Second

week

2007

First week

2007

Second

week

2007

First

week

2007

Second

week

2007

Control 5.28

cd

6.5

bc

1.059

a

0.472

a

4.22

c

6.031

a

Ethephon 200

ppm

5.741

cd

7.991

a

1.495

a

0.701

a

4.246

c

7.29

a

CaCl2 2%

5.111

d

6.316

bcd

1.213

a

0.38

a

3.898

c

5.936

b

Oleic acid 400

ppm

5.38

cd

6.47

bc

1.412

a

0.504

a

3.967

c

5.966

b

Ethephon 200

ppm

+ CaCl2 2%

5.541

cd

7.136

a

1.495

a

0.667

a

4.046

c

6.469

a

Ethephon 200

ppm

+ Oleic acid 400

ppm

5.4

cd

7.443

a

1.494

a

0.634

a

3.905

c

6.809

a



levels.

18


Table (10): Total sugars (%), reducing sugars (%) and non-reducing sugars (%) of "Canino"


time during 2008 season. Treatment Total sugars (%) Reducing sugars (%) Non-reducing sugars

(%)

First week

2008 *

Second

week

2008

First week

2008

Second week

2008

First

week

2008

Second

week

2008

Control 5.74

ef

7.053

b

1.459

a

0.572

a

4.281

c

6.481

ab

Ethephon 200

ppm

6.201

cdef

8.541

a

1.895

a

0.801

a

4.306

c

7.740

a

CaCl2 2%

5.571

f

6.866

bcde

1.613

a

0.480

a

3.958

c

6.386

b

Oleic acid 400

ppm

5.840

def

7.020

bcd

1.812

a

0.604

a

4.027

c

6.416

b

Ethephon 200

ppm

+ CaCl2 2%

6.001

cdef

7.686

a

1.895

a

0.767

a

4.106

c

6.919

ab

Ethephon 200

ppm

+ Oleic acid 400

ppm

5.86

def

7.993

a

1.895

a

0.734

a

3.965

c

7.259

ab



levels.

Documents

EFFECT OF SOME PREHARVEST TREATMENTS ON QUALITY AND … · 2015. 6. 10. · KARIM M. FARAG1, AMR M. HAIKAL1 AND SAID M. ATTIA1 1Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture,