Optimal Preharvest Melatonin Applications to Enhance Endogenous Melatonin Content, Harvest and Postharvest Quality of Japanese Plum

Plum is one of the most produced stone fruits worldwide. Melatonin an environmentally eco-friendly substance that, in low concentrations, activates defence systems against biotic and abiotic stresses. This considered a tool that could increase fruit quality. study aimed to evaluate impact different preharvest foliar applications with melatonin concentrations (0.1, 0.3, 0.5 mmol L−1) enhance content shelf life ‘Primetime’ plum. To this purpose, two three were carried out at critical stages growth. Different quality characteristics such as size, colour, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, ripening index, respiration rate, ethylene production anthocyanins antioxidant activity, well endogenous content, tested harvest after 40 days cold storage. Results showed plums received 3 L−1 enhanced less softening, delayed darkening, higher anthocyanin concentration activity Therefore, was effective improving plums.