Effect of Pre-Harvest Salicylic Acid and Iron Treatments on Postharvest Quality of Peach Fruits

Peach is a highly corrosive fruit with a short shelf life (less than 7 days at room temperature)susceptible to diseases, pathogens and physical damage. The storage or marketable life ofhorticultural crops can be extended by various treatments applied to them after and/or beforeharvesting. Fruits are usually treated with a range of materials [(e.g. salicylic acid (SA)] toimprove their appearance or delay deterioration. In the present study, effects of pre-harvesttreatment of SA (1, 2, and 4 mM) and iron sequestrine (Fe) (5 and 10 mg L-1) on antioxidantcapacity, ion leakage, ethylene production, ascorbic acid and carotenoids content of peachfruit (Prunus persica L. Batsch cv. Za'ferani) were examined. The results showed that Fe andSA treatments are effective methods for alleviating ion leakage, weight loss and ethyleneproduction in peach fruit during cold storage. Application of 4.0 mM SA and 10.0 mg L-1 Fewere the most effective treatments to maintain fruits quality parameters. SA and Fe treatmentsmaintained peach fruits quality parameters until 40 days. These results suggest that the SAand Fe treatment are useful materials with potential postharvest application for reducingethylene production, maintain quality, and improve the health benefits of peach fruit byincreasing its antioxidant capacity.