The aim of the present work was to compare the effect of ultralow oxygen (ULO) with dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA) and controlled atmosphere (CA) on the post storage quality of 'Royal Gala' and 'Galaxy' apples after long-term storage. Two experiments were carried out with 'Royal Gala' and 'Galaxy' apples, in the years 2012 and 2013, respectively. A higher internal ethylene concentration was observed in fruits stored under CA; intermediate concentration in fruits under ULO; and the lowest by fruits stored under DCA-CF (DCA based on chlorophyll fluorescence). Flesh firmness was higher in fruits stored under DCA-CF and ULO differing from CA, in the year 2012, but in 2013 fruits stored under ULO showed the highest flesh firmness, differing from CA fruits. DCA-CF is efficient in quality maintenance of 'Royal Gala' and 'Galaxy' apples. Both 'Gala' mutants stored under ULO show a similar quality maintenance to those stored under DCA-CF.

RESUMO -Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a qualidade da maçã 'Maxi Gala' submetida a diferentes combinações de níveis de O 2 e CO 2 , temperaturas e perda de massa durante o armazenamento. O experimento foi conduzido em um delineamento inteiramente casualisado em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repetições de 25 frutos. Os tratamentos originaram-se da combinação de diferentes condições de atmosfera controlada (AC) em duas temperaturas (0,5 °C e 1 °C), que foram: (1) 1,2 kPa O 2 + 2,5 kPa CO 2 + 3,5% de perda de massa (PM); (2) 1,2 kPa O 2 + 2,5 kPa CO 2 ; (3) 1,2 kPa O 2 + 2,0 kPa CO 2 ; (4) 1,0 kPa O 2 + 2,0 kPa CO 2 ; (5) 0,8 kPa O 2 + 2,0 kPa CO 2 ; e (6) 0,8 kPa O 2 + 1,5 kPa CO 2 . As melhores condições para o armazenamento da maçã 'Maxi Gala' foram as pressões parciais 0,8 a 1,0 kPa O 2 associada com 2,0 kPa CO 2 ou 0,8 kPa O 2 com 1,5 kPa CO 2 na temperatura de 1 °C. Nessas condições ocorre maior manutenção da firmeza da polpa, redução na ocorrência de degenerescência senescente e a polpa farinácea. A perda de massa de 3,5% em AC com 1,2 kPa O 2 + 2,5 kPa CO 2 na temperatura de 1 °C também é eficiente na manutenção da qualidade desta maçã. Palavras-chave:Frutas. Pós-colheita. Perda de massa. Distúrbios fisiológicos.ABSTRACT -The objective of this study was to assess the quality of the 'Maxi Gala' apple under different mixtures of O 2 and CO 2 , temperature and mass loss during storage. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomised design in a system of split-plots, with four replications of 25 fruits. The treatments, derived from the combination of various conditions of controlled atmosphere (CA) at two temperatures (0.5 °C and 1 °C), were: (1) 1.2 kPa O 2 + 2.5 kPa CO 2 + 3.5% mass loss (ML); (2) 1.2 kPa O 2 + 2.5 kPa CO 2 ; (3) 1.2 kPa O 2 + 2.0 kPa CO 2 ; (4) 1.0 kPa O 2 + 2.0 kPa CO 2 ; (5) 0.8 kPa O 2 + 2.0 kPa CO 2 ; and (6) 0.8 kPa O 2 + 1.5 kPa CO 2 . The best conditions for the storage of the 'Maxi Gala' apple were those with partial pressures of 0.8 to 1.0 kPa O 2 associated with 2.0 kPa CO 2 or 0.8 kPa O 2 with 1.5 kPa CO 2 at a temperature of 1°C. Under these conditions flesh firmness is maintained for longer, with a greater reduction in flesh breakdown and mealiness. A weight loss of 3.5% in CA with 1.2 kPa O 2 to 2.5 kPa CO 2 at a temperature of 1°C is also effective in maintaining the quality of this apple.

-The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of growth regulators on gas diffusion and on metabolism of 'Brookfield' apple, and to determine their correlation with quality characteristics of fruit stored in controlled atmosphere. A completely randomized design was used with four replicates. After eight months of storage, the effects of water (control), aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), AVG + ethephon, AVG + naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), ethephon + NAA, sole NAA, 1-MCP, ethylene absorption by potassium permanganate (ABS), AVG + ABS, and of AVG + 1-MCP -applied at different rates and periods -were evaluated on: gas diffusion rate, ethylene production, respiratory rate, internal ethylene concentration, internal CO 2 content, mealiness, and intercellular space. Fruit from the control and sole NAA treatments had the highest mealiness occurrence. Growth regulators significantly changed the gaseous diffusion through the pulp of 'Brookfield' apple, mainly in the treatment AVG + ABS, which kept the highest gas diffusion rate. NAA spraying in the field, with or without another growth regulator, increased ripening metabolism by rising ethylene production and respiration rate, and reduced gas diffusion during shelf life. AVG spraying cannot avoid the ethephon effect during the ripening process, and reduces both the internal space and mealiness incidence, but it is not able to induce ethylene production or to increase respiration rates.Index terms: Malus domestica, aminoethoxyvinylglycine, ethylene absorption, fruit quality, 1-methylcyclopropene. Efeito de reguladores de crescimento na difusão de gases e no metabolismo de maçãs 'Brookfield' em armazenamento em atmosfera controladaResumo -O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de reguladores de crescimento na difusão de gases e no metabolismo de maçãs 'Brookfield', e determinar sua correlação com características dos frutos armazenados em atmosfera controlada. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com quatro repetições. Após oito meses de armazenamento, os efeitos de água (controle), aminoetoxivinilglicina (AVG), AVG + ethephon, AVG + ácido naftalenoacético (ANA), ethephon + ANA, somente ANA, 1-MCP, absorção de etileno por permanganato de potássio (ABS), AVG + ABS, e de AVG + 1-MCP -aplicados em diferentes doses e épocas -foram avaliados sobre: taxa de difusão de gases, produção de etileno, taxa respiratória, concentração interna de etileno, concentração interna de CO 2 , polpa farinácea e espaço interno. Frutos dos tratamentos controle e ANA sozinha apresentaram a maior ocorrência de polpa farinácea. Os reguladores de crescimento modificaram significativamente a difusão gasosa pela polpa de maçãs 'Brookfield', principalmente no tratamento AVG + ABS, que manteve a maior taxa de difusão de gases. A aplicação de ANA no campo, com ou sem outro regulador de crescimento, acelerou o metabolismo de amadurecimento, pelo aumento na produção de etileno e na taxa respiratória, e reduziu a difusão de gases durante a vida de prateleira. Ap...

-The objective of this work was to evaluate the interaction of ultralow oxygen concentrations (ULO) with storage temperatures and carbon dioxide partial pressures and its influence on fruit quality preservation and on the occurrence of physiological disorders in 'Royal Gala' apples. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design, with four replicates 25-fruit. ULO conditions (1.0 kPa O 2 + 2.0 kPa CO 2 ; 0.8 kPa O 2 + 1.5 kPa CO 2 ; 0.8 kPa O 2 + 1.0 kPa CO 2 ; 0.6 kPa O 2 + 1.5 kPa CO 2 ; and 0.6 kPa O 2 + 1.0 kPa CO 2 ) were tested at 0, 0.5 and 1.0°C, in a 5x3 factorial arrangement. Fruit quality and ripening analyses were performed after eight-month storage plus seven days of shelf-life at 20°C. Oxygen partial pressures below 0.8 kPa increased the occurrence of internal breakdown and mealiness. The best ULO condition was 1.0 kPa O 2 + plus 2.0 kPa CO 2 at 1.0°C. The interaction of ULO conditions and storage temperatures shows the need of increasing O 2 partial pressure at higher storage temperatures.Index terms: Malus domestica, carbon dioxide, controlled atmosphere, decay, physiological disorders. Qualidade de maçã 'Royal Gala' armazenada em condições de concentração ultrabaixa de oxigênio e baixa temperaturaResumo -O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a interação de concentrações ultrabaixas de oxigênio (ULO) com diferentes temperaturas e pressões parciais de gás carbônico sobre a conservação da qualidade e a ocorrência de distúrbios fisiológicos em maçãs 'Royal Gala'. O experimento foi realizado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições de 25 frutos. As concentrações ULO (1,0 kPa O 2 + 2,0 kPa CO 2 , 0,8 kPa O 2 + 1,5 kPa CO 2 , 0,8 kPa O 2 + 1,0 kPa CO 2 , 0,6 kPa O 2 + 1,5 kPa CO 2 e 0,6 kPa O 2 + 1,0 kPa CO 2 ) foram avaliadas a 0,0, 0,5 e 1,0°C, em arranjo fatorial de 5x3. As análises da qualidade e amadurecimento dos frutos foram realizadas após oito meses de armazenamento e mais sete dias de exposição a 20°C. As pressões parciais de O 2 abaixo de 0,8 kPa aumentaram a ocorrência de degenerescência de polpa e polpa farinácea. A melhor condição de ULO foi a de 1,0 kPa O 2 + 2,0 kPa CO 2 a 1,0°C. A interação entre condições de ULO e temperaturas de armazenamento evidencia necessidade de aumento das pressões parciais de O 2 quando a temperatura de armazenamento é mais elevada.Termos para indexação: Malus domestica, gás carbônico, atmosfera controlada, podridões, distúrbios fisiológicos.

Given the increasing investment in the pecan production in southern Brazil, it becomes necessary researches, assisting in solve problems and proposition of technical and methodology to enhance this production chain. Thus, the present review aimed to survey the existing information about the culture, both on the world and the Brazilian scene. Issues related to botany, climate and soil requirements, alignment and planting density, cultivars, pests and diseases, among other technical aspects of this culture will be addressed. Pecan nut presents nutraceutical properties that are beneficial to human health, which has increased its demand from consumers. However, there are few research results with pecan nut in Brazil and there are many gaps in scientific knowledge about this culture, especially as regards the management of pests and diseases control, irrigation and nutrition, in Brazilian conditions.

Apples (Malus domestica, Borkh.) which are not stored at low temperature or in a properly controlled atmosphere (CA) may have a high metabolic rate during the postharvest stage resulting in losses in quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of 'Royal Gala' apple fruit stored in accordance with a new method of dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA).The respiratory quotient (RQ) was monitored at two temperatures which were then compared using a commercially available technology based on chlorophyll fluorescence DCA (DCA-CF) and static CA. Ethylene production and respiration rates were lower in apples stored in DCA than in CA, as a result of lower 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase activity, especially in apples stored in DCA-RQ2. Flesh firmness of apples stored in DCA did not differ from those stored in CA. Apples stored at 1 °C had less flesh breakdown occurrence and a high percentage of healthy fruit. 'Royal Gala' stored at DCA-RQ2 had less flesh breakdown than apples stored in CA; however, the apples stored in DCA-CF did not differ from those stored in DCA-RQ2 and CA. Apples stored at the highest RQ value (6 and 4), especially at 0.5 °C, had low O 2 injury occurrence after storage. However the increase in temperature to 1.0 °C, reduced the occurrence of this disorder. Therefore, storage in DCA-RQ2 at 1 °C or DCA-CF at 0.5 °C are the recommendations of preference for ensuring maintenance of quality in 'Royal Gala' apples after eight months of storage.

Growth regulators are used in the production of apples worldwide, especially to extend the harvest period and maintain postharvest quality. This study aimed to investigate the effects of applying aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) in isolation as well as in combination with other growth regulators and postharvest techniques on the harvest quality and storage potential of 'Brookfield' apples (Malus domestica), a 'Gala' strain. Fruit receiving AVG only had the highest starch content and the highest titratable acidity at harvest. After 8 months of storage, the AVG + 1-MCP (1-methylcyclopropene) and AVG + ABS (ethylene absorption) conserved higher flesh firmness than to all the other treatments. Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) application induced ACC oxidase enzyme activity at harvest, but not after storage. AVG application, with or without the aid of another technique, did not decrease the red skin color of 'Brookfield' apples. Low mealiness and a high healthy fruit percentage was obtained when the fruits were submitted to pre-harvest AVG application combined with NAA, 1-MCP and ABS. Internal carbon dioxide had an inverse correlation with the quantity of healthy fruit and was directly correlated with mealiness.Keywords: Malus domestica, postharvest quality, skin color, ethephon, naphthaleneacetic acid IntroductionThe application of growth regulators is necessary either to advance or to delay the fruit harvest in the field, due to the short period that fruit remains naturally at the correct maturation stage. Besides the short harvest period, another problem is that the harvest is carried out manually and requires a lot of time and manual labor. Thus, growth regulators are frequently used in the orchards.The main growth regulator applied in the field is aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) which is used to delay the harvest in order to avoid pre-harvest fruit drop (McFadyen et al., 2012;Yildiz et al., 2012). AVG blinds the active site of ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate) synthase enzyme and inhibits ethylene production and maturation events initiated by this plant hormone (Yu and Yang, 1979;Huai et al., 2001). Despite the benefits promoted by AVG application, it decreases the red skin color of 'Gala' apples (Malus domestica) (Steffens et al., 2006). However, this reduction of red skin color has not yet been proven in 'Gala' mutants.Another growth regulator used extensively is ethephon, mainly to advance the fruit harvest. Its application allows for an early harvest of the fruit, and also increases the red color of fruit skin Steffens et al., 2006;Ban et al., 2007). However, ethephon application may decrease organoleptic quality and decrease the storage potential of fruit after harvest, especially in terms of declines in flesh firmness (Steffens et al., 2006;Ban et al., 2007). As well as the application of ethephon, naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) is also used during apple production. Its application reduces pre-harvest fruit drop in apples (Yuan and Carbaugh, 2007; Unrath et al., 2009), oranges (Zur and Goren, 1977) ...

The effects of dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA) storage based on chlorophyll fluorescence (DCA-CF) and respiratory quotient (DCA-RQ) on the quality and volatile profile of 'Royal Gala' apple were evaluated. DCA storage reduces ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate) oxidase activity, ethylene production and respiration rate of apples stored for 9months at 1.0°C plus 7days at 20°C, resulting in higher flesh firmness, titratable acidity and lesser physiological disorders, and provided a higher proportion of healthy fruit. Storage in a regular controlled atmosphere gave higher levels of key volatiles (butyl acetate, 2-methylbutyl acetate and hexyl acetate), as compared to fruit stored under DCA-CF, but fruit stored under DCA-RQ 1.5 and RQ 2.0 also showed higher amounts of key volatile compounds, with increment in ethanol and ethyl acetate, but far below the odour threshold. Storage in DCA-CF reduces fruit ester production, especially 2-methylbutyl acetate, which is the most important component of 'Royal Gala' apple flavour.