EFFECTS OF PRE-HARVEST RETAIN TREATMENTS WITH MAP ON COLD STORAGE QUALITY OF SWEET CHERRY CV. 0900 ZIRAAT

Effect of pre-harvest treatments of ReTain [active ingredient: Aminoethoxyvinlglycine (AVG) 15 %] on cold storage quality of sweet cherry cv. 0900 Ziraat grafted on Gisela-5 (Prunus cerasus x Prunus canescens) rootstock was investigated. For this purpose ReTain within concentrations of 50, 100, and 150 mg/L was applied as a spray 25 days before harvest. Fruits were harvested at the optimum harvest date and stored in modified atmosphere packages (MAP) at 0 degrees C temperature and 90 +/- 5 % relative humidity conditions for 6 weeks. Weight loss, fruit skin colour, fruit firmness, total soluble solid and titratable acidity content were determined during the storage period. In addition, sensory analysis was performed. Weight loss increased in all treatments during storage. Titratable acidity of fruit decreased with increasing storage period, but the highest average acidity was determined in fruit treated with 100 mg/L ReTain. The treatment of 50 mg/L of ReTain maintained fruit firmness better than those of others. These results indicated that pre-harvest ReTain treatment can be a tool for maintaining some quality attributes of sweet cherry during cold storage.