Fruit quality of ‘Braeburn’ apple trees sprayed at post-bloom and preharvest with prohexadione-calcium and GA4+7

Abstract The objective of this study was to assess the effects post-bloom (PB) or preharvest (PH) treatments ‘Braeburn’ apple trees with prohexadione-calcium (ProCa; 300 mg L-1), an inhibitor gibberellins biosynthesis, GA4+7 (300 L-1) on fruit quality at harvest and after storage (four months 0±0.5 oC, followed by five days shelf life). PB started 15 full bloom, one application every week six applications in total. PH weeks before anticipated harvest, four Control were sprayed water. increased length/diameter ratio, titratable acidity (TA) flesh firmness slightly reduced red color harvest. ProCa ethylene production rate, delayed starch degradation soluble solids content maintained TA storage. loss skin green background while both treatment timings development color, but a much stronger effect when than PB.