The effects of aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) applications on preharvest fruit drop and fruit quality in starcrimson delicious apple cultivar

In the present study, effects of AVG, MeJA and AVG+MeJA applications on pre-harvest fall and fruit quality was investigated using Starcrimson apple cultivar. AVG (300 mg/L) and MeJA (7.5 mM) applications were carried out 1, 2 and 3 weeks, and 2, 3 and 4 weeks before the harvest; respectively. In addition, AVG was administered to the trees 1, 2, and 3 weeks before harvest and MeJA together at 2, 3 and 4 weeks before harvest. Cumulative fruit fall off was reduced by 7.73% AVG application prior to 1 week of harvest, by 8.74% 2 week before AVG+ and 3 week before MEJA applications and by 11.60% AVG application prior to 2 weeks of harvest compared to control application. The lowest total fruit yield was obtained using AVG application 3 weeks before harvest + MEJA application 4 weeks before . The highest fruit yield was obtained from combined application of AVG applications prior to harvest at 2 weeks application periods. Fruit width, length and weight significantly increased compared to control application. The highest fruit dimensions was obtained from MEJA application administrated 2 week before the harvest while the lowest fruit dimensions were obtained from control. AVG application one week before the harvest gave the lowest fruit firmness (14.96 lb), the highest fruit firmness was observed from MEJA application (27.91 lb) 2 week before the harvest. All applications significantly increased total phenolics content and antioxidant capacity compared to the control. Differences in skin color was not important between applications and the control.