Two experiments were carried out with the objective of evaluating the efficiency of treatments with 1-MCP on 'Tommy Atkins' mango fruit conservation, using different doses and number of applications. The fruits were harvested at the stage 2 of maturation from a commercial orchard in Petrolina, Pernambuco State, Brazil. In the first experiment, the following was tested: 1. doses (0; 600; 1,200 and 2,400 nL L-1), applied at 25ºC; and 2. storage time (0, 2, 4, 7, 9, 10 and 11 days) under room temperature (26.7±2.0ºC). The experimental design was completely randomized, with a 4 x 7 (doses of 1-MCP x storage time) factorial and 4 replicates. In the second experiment, the following was studied: 1. doses and number of applications (control, one application of 900 nL L-1, one application of 1,200 nL L-1 and two applications of 900 nL L-1); and 2. storage time (0, 7, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25 and 26 days), being the fruits kept refrigerated (11.0±1.6ºC and 88±7% RH) until the 15th day, when they were transferred to room temperature (26.3±2.1ºC and 44±6% RH). The first or single application occurred at the harvest time and the second one occurred at the 14th day. In this experiment, the experimental design was completely randomized, with a 4 x 8 (doses and number of applications of 1-MCP x storage time) factorial and 4 replicates. 1-MCP affected essentially the pulp firmness and the most efficient dose in retarding of softening was 1,200 nL L-1. The accomplishment of one application of 1,200 nL L-1 or two applications of 900 nL L-1 under refrigeration had in practice the same effects. However, the logistics changes promoted by a single application are reduced.
ripening; pulp firmness; ethylene inhibitors; storage life
