1-Methylcyclopropene Delays Softening in Tomato Slices

I-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) has the potential in tomato to reduce ethylene-associated changes in texture. Tomato cv. 'Revolution' was harvested at the 'pink' maturity stage and whole fruit treated with 0, 0.1, 1.0 or 10.0 µL.L-' 1-MCP at 20 "C for 12 h. Slices of 7-mm thickness were cut using a commercial slicer, and the slices stored in vertical stacks in plastic containers at 5°C for 7 days. The application of 1-MCP reduced both ethylene production and respiration rate of slices and resulted in firmer pericarp firmness. Ethylene production was 24%, 40%, and 62% lower following 0.1, 1.0, 10.0 µL L-' 1-MCP, respectively, compared with controls. In addition, respiration rate was reduced 6%, 10% and 20% by those 1-MCP treatments. 1-MCP treatments produced 20%, 34%, and 24% higher pericarp firmness, respectively, than in fruit not treated with 1-MCP.

Exposure of Tomato Fruit to 1-MCP Improves Quality of Stored Slices

Maintenance of quality, such as firmness, is important during storage of fresh cut produce. This study compared the effects of I-MCP on the quality of tomato slices when intact tomatoes were treated with 1-MCP and then sliced, or tomatoes were sliced and the slices treated with I-MCP. In both instances the MCP treatment was 1 µL Lˉٰ at 20 ºC for 12 h. Tomato cv. 'Revolution' was harvested at the 'pink' stage of maturity, cut into 7-mm slices, and stored as vertical stacks in closed plastic containers at 5ºC for up to 7 days after the 1-MCP treatment. Exposure of intact tomatoes to I-MCP resulted in reduced ethylene production (31%) and firmer (22%) slices than when tomatoes were not I-MCP treated. The application of I-MCP prior to slicing of tomatoes appears a useful strategy to retain quality of stored tomato slices.

The Productivity of Strawberry Plants Growing Under Plastic High Tunnels in a Wet Subtropical Environment

The effect of plastic high tunnels on the performance of two strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa) cultivars (Festival and Rubygem) and two breeding lines was studied in southeastern Queensland, Australia, over 2 years. Production in this area is affected by rain, with direct damage to the fruit and the development of fruit disease before harvest. The main objective of the study was to determine whether plants growing under tunnels had less rain damage, a lower incidence of disease, and higher yields than plants growing outdoors. Plants growing under the tunnels or outdoors had at best only small differences in leaf, crown, root, and flower and immature fruit dry weight. These responses were associated with relatively similar temperatures and relative humidities in the two growing environments. Marketable yields were 38% higher under the tunnels compared with yields outdoors in year 1, and 24% higher in year 2, mainly due to less rain damage. There were only small differences in the incidences of grey mold (Botrytis cinerea) and small and misshaped fruit in the plants growing under the tunnels and outdoors. There were also only small differences in postharvest quality, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity between the two environments. These results highlight the potential of plastic high tunnels for strawberry plants growing in subtropical areas that receive significant rainfall during the production season.