Application of solutions to delay ‘Hass’ avocado ripening during postharvest
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29312/remexca.v17i6.4259Keywords:
gibberellic acid 3 and 1-methylcyclopropene, auxinsAbstract
Avocado is a crop of great economic relevance for Mexico; exports of the fruit reach markets in North America, Asia, Europe and Latin America. The main challenge in this activity is the long transport times for the fruit; therefore, there is a need to develop new technologies that prolong the fruit’s shelf life. The research aimed to delay the postharvest ripening process of avocados by applying aqueous solutions containing peduncle extract, plant growth regulators, and acetylsalicylic acid at different concentrations. The harvest was carried out in December 2022 at ‘Huerto La Labor’, Temascaltepec de González, State of Mexico (19° 02’ 39.40” north latitude and 99° 58’ 35.62” west longitude). Eight treatments were applied to the fruits: six aqueous solutions formulated with peduncle extract, auxins (IAA + IBA), gibberellic acid 3 and acetylsalicylic acid, a treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene and an absolute control. The response variables evaluated were weight loss (%), firmness, respiration rate and pulp and peel color. A completely randomized experimental design and statistical analysis with the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test were employed. According to the results obtained, the aqueous solutions resulted in a lower percentage of weight loss, greater firmness, a lower respiration rate, and greener coloration in the pulp and peel, compared to untreated fruits, allowing the delay of the ripening process; in contrast, the relative control remained unripe until day eleven postharvest.
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