The present work studied the effects of the gibeberellic acid(GA3) and of the CaCl2, in the harvest sprays on ripening control and on the postharvest quality of persimmons. For the field treatments, groups of 4 plants were selected that were sprayed with: a)30 ppm GA3; b)1%(m/v) CaCl2; c)1% CaCl2 + 30ppm GA3 and d) water as control. Fruits were harvested with green-yellowish epidermal color. They were stored at ambient conditions and in plastic boxes. At the harvest and every 4 days during 20 days, persimmons were evaluated for weight loss, flesh firmness, titratable acidity, ethylene production, total soluble solids, chlorophylls and carotenoids. GA3 treatments delayed harvest for 15 days and increased the storage potential of the fruits. CaCl2 sprays did not contribute delaying the maturation and reduced the beneficial effects of the GA3 after harvest, when combined.
ethylene; phytohormones; Diospyros kaki
