FRUITGARD-CALYX reduces calyx senescence associated to degreening

Postharvest degreening treatment with exogenous ethylene application is widely used in Mediterranean growth area to improve the external coloration of the earlyseason citrus varieties in which internal maturity is achieved when the peel is still green. Nevertheless this treatment can induce physiological disorders overall related to calyx senescence. In previous studies has been reported that the application of FRUITGARD-CALYX reduces calyx senescence associated to ethylene exposure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of postharvest application of FRUITGARD-CALYX on reduction disorders associated to degreening in clementines in different commercial postharvest applications (in drencher and by low volume spraying in the handling line). The application of FRUITGARD-CALYX in drencher very significantly reduces the disorders of calyx senescence associated to degreening treatment in clementines. The application of  FRUITGARD-CALYX by low volume spraying in the handling line treatments were effective on reduction of calyx disorders; nevertheless in the trials carried out clementines exhibited low susceptibility to calyx disorders after degreening process. The results suggest that this auxin could be a good option to control disorders of citrus fruit during degreening treatment.   Original title, authors and source: Application of FRUITGARD-CALYX Under Commercial Conditions to Control Calyx Senescence Associated to Degreening Treatment Daniel J. Tormo1*, Sawsen Sdiri2, Ernesto Conesa1; Pilar Navarro2, Alejandra Salvador2* 1 FOMESA FRUITECH S.L.U., Valencia, Spain. *dtormo.fruiteh@fomesa.net 2 Centro de Tecnología Postcosecha, IVIA, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias, Valencia, Spain. *salvador_ale@gva.es XII International Citrus Congress, Valencia, Spain, 18-23 November 2013. Pictures show the comparation between fruit with disorders associated to the degreening process  (calyx abscission and discoloration), and the green calyx of the treated fruits. The complete paper, the pdf here: