The Influence of (2-Chloroethyl)phosphonic Acid on Peach Quality and Maturation1

Abstract

Ethephon ((2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid) at 50 to 200 ppm hastened the maturation of peach fruit of the cvs. ‘Cardinal’, ‘Ranger’, ‘Redhaven’, ‘Blake’, and ‘Richhaven’ over a range of application times. Stimulation of maturation was not attributed solely to reduced fruit load, since an influence on maturation was found even when ethephon-treated trees bore no fewer fruits than hand-thinned controls. When treated and nontreated ‘Richhaven’ fruit were harvested at a comparable maturity based on firmness, ground and flesh color a and a/b values were increased by ethephon, as were soluble solids. No differences were found in b values for ground or flesh color or in total titratable acidity. Fruit treated with ethephon exhibited more uniformity in firmness and color than untreated fruit at shipping maturity, a characteristic which has potential value in facilitating once-over mechanical harvesting operations.

Response of Early Grand Peach to Chemical Thinning; Ethrel, Gibberellic Acid and Urea. I. Yield and Fruit Quality

“…Data in Tables (2 and 3) showed that using ethrel as chemical thinner on Early Grand peach trees caused a significant decrease in fruit firmness compared with the control at harvest. These results agreed with those found by Sims et al(1974) and Khalil et al (1990).…”

Response of Early Grand Peach to Chemical Thinning; Ethrel, Gibberellic Acid and Urea: Ii. Storability of Fruits

“…Data, also, showed that both GA3 and urea treatments caused a decrease in total soluble pectin, but significant differences were only found between the three GA3 treatments and control in both seasons. These results may be attributed to the effect of GA3 in delaying ripening as confirmed by Sims et al(1974).…”

“…Significant differences were found in the highest two GA3 concentrations in 1997 season and for the three GA3 concentrations in 1998 season (Tables 9 and 10). This may be explained by the effect of GA3 in delaying ripening (Sims et al, 1974).…”

Effect of Ethephon, Diphenylamine, and Daminozide on the Incidence of Scald Development on ‘Cortland’ Apples1

“…Ethephon has been used commercially to facilitate mechan ical harvesting of blueberries (13), promote flowering of apple seedlings (15) and increase red color in cherries (1) and apples (4). A stimulation in ripening due to ethephon treatments has been reported in blueberry (5), tomato (14), pears (6), peaches (19) and apples (4,9,10,16,22). Further effects of ethephon on apples include an increase in soluble solids, CO2 and C2H2 evolution and the rate of flesh softening.…”