Nitrogen fertilization associated with cold storage and its impacts on the maintenance of peach quality

Abstract

Nitrogen, which is considered the most important nutrient for peach trees, may interfere in both quantitative production characteristics and quality of fruits. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of the combination of doses of N fertilization and different periods of cold storage on physico-chemical and phytochemical characteristics of peaches in post-harvest. The experiment had a randomized complete block design in a 4x3 factorial scheme, i. e., four doses of fertilization (0, 60, 120 and 180 Kg N ha-1) and three periods of storage (on the harvest day, on both the 15th and the 30th storage days at 1±1ºC, each followed by a day of simulated commercialization at 20±1ºC). The following aspects were evaluated in fruits yielded by peach trees of the genotype Cascata 1067: fruit color, soluble solid content, titratable acidity, pulp firmness, mass loss, total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. Different periods of cold storage and doses of N fertilization were found to affect epidermis luminosity, pulp firmness and titratable acidity of fruits. Peaches may be stored at low temperatures for 15+1 days. After that, loss of fruit firmness increases. N fertilization affects neither the soluble solid content nor the epidermis color of peaches, but both parameters are influenced by storage. Values of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity decrease when there is N increment in the soil and when longer storage is carried out. Results suggest that peach composition may be affected by cultural practices, such as N fertilization, in harvest and after storage.

Apple Antioxidant Properties as an Effect of N Dose and Rate—Mycorrhization Involvement: A Long-Term Study

“…According to other studies N fertilization caused a decrease in the content of antioxidants such as ascorbate, phenolic compounds and further total antioxidant capacity [ 4 , 8 , 27 , 45 ]. Ochoa-Velasco et al, [ 27 ] found highly negative correlation between N fertilization and the concentration of total phenolics, total flavonoids, ascorbate and total antioxidant activity, but when N mineral fertilization was accompanied by the use of biofertilizer, the negative correlation was, with an exception of total flavonoids, lowered.…”

“…Nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient needed for plant growth and development and one of the main nutrient related factors limiting crops’ yield and quality [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Adjusting controllable environmental factors, such as nutrient availability has the potential to shift the plant’s metabolism towards an increased production of health-promoting phytocompounds [ 4 , 6 , 9 , 10 ].…”

“…However, the relationship between agronomic practices, such as fertilizers/biofertilizers management or cultivation system, and phytochemicals are less frequently studied [ 3 , 34 , 44 ]. N fertilization is often associated with a decrease in the content of biologically active compounds [ 4 , 8 , 45 ], while some studies indicate that this negative relationship can be mitigated in combination with biofertilizers [ 27 , 46 ]. In combination with other benefits of bio-fertilizer, using such solutions in fertilizer management can reduce the use of agrochemicals in orchards and, therefore, is worth considering.…”