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Preharvest Sprayable 1-MCP (Harvista^TM) Influences Postharvest Behavior of Apples

Preharvest sprayable formulations of 1-MCP technology are currently being developed by AgroFresh Inc. Harvista^TM appears promising for use on tree fruit and has already received registration in some South American countries. Research results during the past few years in Ontario indicate that Harvista can substantially reduce fruit drop in apple and pear orchards, as well as provide some fruit quality benefits (DeEll et al., 2005+). 

In August 2007, Harvista was applied to mature ‘McIntosh’ apple trees 7 and 3 days prior to anticipated optimum harvest. Spray treatments included 60 or 120 g of 1-MCP per acre with 1% oil and 0.05% surfactant. All sprayed and non-sprayed apples were also treated postharvest with or without gaseous SmartFresh^TM (1-MCP, 1 ppm for 24 hours at 3^oC). Fruit were stored at 0.5^oC for 4 months and then assessed for quality during 1-week at 20^oC. 

There was little effect of Harvista spray on fruit maturity at optimum harvest However, if sprayed fruit remained on the trees for an additional 11 days, apples had lower internal ethylene concentration, compared to non-sprayed controls.‘McIntosh’ apples sprayed preharvest with Harvista were firmer (+1 lb) and had lower internal ethylene concentration after 4 months cold storage. However, these effects were less evident in apples sprayed 7 days prior to harvest, compared to those sprayed 3 days before, and the effects were lost after 7 days at 20^oC. It is worth noting that in previous work there were greater benefits on later and harder apple cultivars, i.e. ’Empire’ and ’Delicious’. 

‘McIntosh’ apples treated postharvest with Smart-Fresh, regardless of Harvista application, exhibited the lowest internal ethylene (<80 ppm) and greatest firmness (10.3-11.7 lb) and acidity retention after storage. Overall, it appears that preharvest Harvista sprays offer short-term control of ‘McIntosh’ fruit maturity, while postharvest gaseous SmartFresh treatments provide superior fruit quality benefits during storage.

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