The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of preharvest applications of aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) and ethephon on the maturation of the 'Gala' apple harvested on differents dates. The treatments were: control, ethephon (140g ha-1), AVG (125g ha-1), AVG (125g ha-1) + ethephon (140g ha-1), AVG (95g ha-1) and AVG (95g ha-1) + ethephon (140g ha-1). These treatments were combined with 4 harvest date (131, 138, 145 and 152 days after full bloom). The application of AVG, combined or not with ethephon, maintained higher flesh firmness, greener peel color, lower starch index, ethylene and CO2 production. However, AVG retarded the development of the red color of the fruit. The application of ethephon in AVG-treated plants increased the red color of the fruit that was similar to control fruit without influencing effect of AVG on the control of maturation. Delaying harvested fruit showed more yellowing skin color, higher starch index and ethylene production and lower titratable acidity.
Malus domestica Borkh.; quality; anthocyanin; ethylene
