Effect of preharvest application of ethylene inhibitors on the ethylene evolution, respiration and quality of apple during cold storage

Various ethylene inhibitors, viz. cycloheximide, AgNO₃ and Benzothiadiazole were sprayed on Red Delicious apple plants 10 and 15 weeks after full bloom. The fruits were harvested at proper maturity i.e. 130 days after full bloom. They were packed in standard-sized corrugated fibre board cartons and stored in cold chamber maintained at 0±1°C and 90–95 percent relative humidity. AgNO₃ 50 and 100 ppm and Benzothiadiazole 50 and 100 ppm were found to be the most effective treatments in delaying the ethylene evolution and respiration rates for about 30 days over the control. The quality of the fruits in terms of firmness, physiological weight loss, total soluble solids and titratable acidity was greatly improved throughout the stipulated storage period of 7 months by 100 ppm concentration of AgNO₃ as well as Benzothiadiazole