Effects of Benzyladenine and Light on Post-harvest Calamondin (x Citrofortunella microcarpa) Fruit Color and Quality

抄録

In harvested calamondin fruit, the effects of benzyladenine (BA) and light on the rind color and fruit quality were investigated. BA application delayed degreening of the calamondin fruit in both light and dark conditions. At 5 days, BA application had no influence on total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acid (TA), sugar contents, ascorbic acid (AA), and organic acid in the fruit juice and at 9 days, only AA content has decreased in BA-treated fruits. Light promoted quick degreening of calamondin fruit, whereas in the dark, degreening had proceeded very little in un-treated fruit at 9 days. Light did not influence fruit quality at 5 days either. However, light influenced the sugar content, especially increasing glucose and total sugar, as well as AA content in fruit at 9 days. Concerning the AA content in calamondin fruit, BA decreased and light increased it. These results indicated that BA treatment after harvest and maintaining fruit in the dark are sufficient to retain the green rind color of harvested calamondin fruit without affecting fruit quality, except for AA content.