The effect of calcium applications on kiwifruit quality preservation during storage

It is well known that calcium increases storage life of many fruits. This study investigated the effect of vine calcium application, as well as postharvest application on storage behaviour of 'Hayward' kiwifruit. Three applications of 0.03% CaCl2 or CaO were made in June, July and September. After harvest half of the fruit from sprayed vines were dipped in a solution of 2% CaCl2; the other fruit were untreated. All fruit were then stored at 0 degrees C and relative humidity of about 90-95%. Results for fruit of the size range 85-105 g are discussed. Kiwifruit dipped in 2% CaCl2 postharvest maintained higher firmness through storage than undipped fruit, but soluble solids content was only slightly lower after storage. This suggests that postharvest dipping of kiwifruit in 2% CaCl2 benefits storage life. The concentrations of 0.03% CaCl2 (Antistip) or 0.03% CaO (Chelal) used in vine applications seem to be too low and higher concentrations should be tried.

The effect of pre- and postharvest calcium applications on 'Hayward' kiwifruit storage ability

The benefits of calcium applications pre and postharvest on fruit storage ability have been mentioned in the bibliography. It was objective of this work to study the effect of calcium preharvest application in two different forms and calcium chloride application postharvest on 'Hayward' kiwifruit storage ability. Kiwifruit vines were sprayed with 0.03% CaCl2 or 0.03% CaO at one, three and four months before harvest. The control did not have any treatment. After harvest, half fruits were dipped for 2 min in a solution of 1% CaCl2, left to dry and stored at 0 degrees C. The other half was stored at the same temperature without any treatment. The commercial yield was not affected by treatments. During storage, fruits dipped in 1% CaCl2 softened slower and than fruits not treated. Weight loss was higher in fruits treated with CaO preharvest. SSC showed a significant decrease in fruits sprayed with CaO from 4 to 6 months storage. This work suggests that immersion of kiwifruit in 1% CaCl2 postharvest benefits storage life capacity; preharvest spraying with CaCl2 seems to be better than with CaO. However, we have to try higher calcium concentrations in order to get better results in storage ability but, without causing toxicity on the vines.