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The objectives of this study were to characterize and quantify postharvest losses of apples under commercial conditions in Santa Catarina state, Brazil. Two experiments were conducted using ‘Gala’ and ‘Fuji’ apples. The first experiment was to characterize and quantify the most important causes of loss of fruit treated or not treated with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) then held in controlled atmosphere (CA) storage. This experiment was conducted in commercial storage facilities from 2007 to 2010. In each year, 10 samples of ≈380 kg each for ‘Gala’ and 400 kg each for ‘Fuji’ were collected from bins of commercially harvested fruit from each of 15 ‘Gala’ and 17 ‘Fuji’ orchards. Half of the samples from each orchard were treated with 1-MCP at harvest. Fruit were stored in CA, at 0.7 °C, for 150 to 300 days. After storage, one subsample of 100 disorder-free apples were selected from each sample and held at 22 °C for 7 days to simulate shelf-life conditions. The fruit were analyzed after CA storage and shelf life for the incidence of disorders. The second experiment was conducted in 2011 to identify the main fungi causing decay during storage. In this study, apples were stored in 10 commercial CA storage rooms at 0.7 °C for 180 to 240 days. After storage, fruit with decay symptoms were collected at the commercial sorting line. A total of 10 samples of 100 decayed apples were taken throughout the sorting period for each cultivar and storage room. The fungal decays were identified by visual symptoms on each fruit. Total apple losses during storage varied from 3.9% to 12.1% for ‘Gala’ and 6.6% to 8.4% for ‘Fuji’, depending on the year and 1-MCP treatment. During storage, deterioration caused by fungal decay was ≈60% and 80% of total losses for ‘Gala’ and ‘Fuji’, respectively. During shelf life, additional losses caused by fungal decay ranged from 8.4% to 17.6% for ‘Gala’ and 12.4% to 27.2% for ‘Fuji’, depending on the year. Senescent breakdown and superficial scald were the major physiological disorders. 1-MCP treatment had no effect on losses due to decay. Bull’s-eye rot, blue mold, gray mold, and alternaria rot were the most prevalent fungal decay symptoms, accounting for 52%, 27%, 9% and 10% of ‘Gala’ losses and 42%, 25%, 18% and 5% of ‘Fuji’ losses, respectively. Sources of variability for losses among years and orchards is discussed.

The study evaluated the efficacy of a sprayable formulation of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) to delay fruit maturation on the tree in comparison to aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG). 1-MCP (150 mg L-1) and AVG (124 mg L-1) were sprayed to 'Imperial Gala' and 'Royal Gala' apple trees from two commercial orchards, 7 and 28 days before commercial fruit harvest maturity, respectively, during four consecutive years. Untreated trees were used as control. Fruit were harvested weekly, during four weeks from the 7th day after 1-MCP spray and assessed one day after harvest. The extent of fruit maturation delay on the tree by 1-MCP and AVG was quantified by linear regression analysis of fruit firmness as a function of harvest date. The estimated date when apple fruit reached firmness of 71.1 N on the tree was delayed for 5.3 to 5.6 days by 1-MCP and for 9.0 to 9.4 days by AVG in comparison to the control, depending on cultivar-orchard. Indices of fruit maturity and quality at harvest were also estimated by linear regression analysis for the estimated date when fruit reach flesh firmness of 71.1 N on the tree. 1-MCP and/or AVG treated fruit had similar or lower ethylene production rates, starch index, titratable acidity and red color and similar or greener background color than control, at estimated harvest dates when fruit of all three treatments reached the same firmness of 71.1 N. 1-MCP and AVG treatments did not affect rates of fruit growth. However, at estimated dates when fruit of all treatments reached the firmness of 71.1, 1-MCP and AVG treated fruit were 2.1 to 7.1% larger than control fruit.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar os efeitos da pulverização pré-colheita de 1-metilciclopropeno aquoso (1-MCPa) e tratamento pós-colheita de 1-metilciclopropeno gasoso (1-MCPg) sobre a maturação e a qualidade de caqui (Diospyros kaki) 'Fuyu'. Pulverizaram-se 150 mg L-1 de 1-MCPa nas plantas, na primeira semana de colheita comercial. Os frutos foram colhidos aos 1, 7, 14 e 21 dias, após a pulverização do 1-MCPa (DAAM), e tratados ou não com 0,6 μL L-1 de 1-MCPg, um dia após a colheita. Os tratamentos constituíram-se de controle, 1-MCPa, 1-MCPg e 1-MCPa+1-MCPg. Os frutos foram armazenados por 70 dias a 0oC, em atmosfera modificada (AM), seguido por sete dias a 23ºC. O tratamento com 1-MCPa não afetou a maturação dos frutos na planta, mas reduziu o amolecimento prematuro de polpa e o distúrbio mancha translúcida em pós-colheita. A incidência de frutos moles após a armazenagem (média de três anos) foi superior a 84% no controle e inferior a 18% com 1-MCPg, independentemente da época de colheita, e de 15, 34, 40 e 75%, quando os frutos foram tratados com 1-MCPa e colhidos 1, 7, 14 e 21 DAAM, respectivamente. A eficácia do 1-MCPa em frutos colhidos 1 DAAM é semelhante à do 1-MCPg e é reduzida com o atraso da colheita dos frutos a partir da data de sua aplicação. Abstract: The objective of this work was to compare the effects of preharvest spraying of aqueous 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCPa) and of postharvest treatment of gaseous 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCPg) on fruit maturity and quality of 'Fuyu' persimmon (Diospyros kaki) . Spraying of 150 mg L-1 1-MCPa was done on trees in the first week of commercial harvesting. Fruit were harvested at 1, 7, 14, and 21 days after 1-MCPa spraying (DAMS), and treated or not with 0.6 μL L-1 1-MCPg one day after harvest. The treatments consisted of a control, 1-MCPa, 1-MCPg, and 1-MCPa+1-MCPg. Fruit were stored at 0°C for 70 days in modified atmosphere, followed by seven days at 23°C. The treatment with 1-MCPa did not affect fruit maturity on trees, but reduced the premature flesh softening and the occurrence of translucent stain disorder at postharvest. The incidences of soft fruit after storage (average of three years) were higher than 84% for the control, and lower than 18% for fruit treated with 1-MCPg, regardless of fruit harvesting date, and they were 15, 34, 40, and 75% for fruit treated with 1-MCPa and harvested at 1, 7, 14, and 21 DAMS, respectively. The efficacy of 1-MCPa is equivalent to that of 1-MCPg for fruit harvested at 1 DAMS and its is reduced by delaying fruit harvest from the date of its application.

Commercial apples are graded primarily by appearance and many new 'Fuji' apple strains have been planted in commercial orchards because of the enhanced red color of their skin. The fruit of most apple strains selected for skin color do not differ; however, some apple strains may produce fruit with different firmness and soluble solid content (SSC). This study compared the fruit quality and maturity of three 'Fuji' apple strains ('Fuji Suprema', 'Mishima', and ‘Fuji Select') grown in experimental orchards in southern Brazil. Fruit were harvested at two maturity stages: early, which were stored in air; and advanced, which were stored in a controlled atmosphere (CA). Storage conditions were selected to induce the development of different physiological disorders. Fruit quality was assessed one day after harvest and after 210 days of storage at 0.8 °C plus seven days at 22 °C, over three growing seasons. Skin color was the main variable that distinguished fruits of the three strains. The extent of red coloration was greater on the surface of 'Fuji Suprema’ apples than on 'Mishima’ or 'Fuji Select’, especially for early-harvest fruit. The pattern of fruit maturation on the tree was the same for the three strains and they showed similar starch index, SSC, and titratable acidity; flesh firmness was slightly (

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the relationship between dry matter content (DMC) and maturity index of ‘Fuji’ apple fruit sports (‘Mishima’, ‘Fuji Select’ and ‘Fuji Suprema’) during the final stage of fruit growth, and the relationship between DMC at harvest and the post-harvest fruit quality. Fruit were harvested from orchards of three regions (Caçador, São Joaquim and Vacaria), on two rootstocks (M9 and Marubakaido with M9 interstock). In experiment 1 (2014), fruit were periodically sampled beginning 83 days before the commercial harvest period. In experiment 2, fruit were harvested at optimum maturity for long-term storage and stored in air at 0.5 ºC (2014) or after optimum maturity for long-term storage and stored in controlled atmosphere at 0.7 ºC (2014 and 2015). Apple fruit maturity on the tree was characterized by decreased flesh firmness and increased starch index and soluble solids content (SS) and by a small change in DMC. DMC at harvest was correlated with flesh firmness and SS in one of two years, but DMC was not correlated with the incidence of disorders after storage. The results show that DMC at harvest is not suitable as a maturity index of ‘Fuji’ apples, and its use as a post-harvest quality predictor is not consistent between crop years. Resumo Dois experimentos foram conduzidos para avaliar as relações entre o conteúdo de matéria seca (CMS) e os índices de maturação de maçãs clones de ‘Fuji’ (‘Mishima’, ‘Fuji Select’ e ‘Fuji Suprema’) durante a fase final de crescimento dos frutos e as relações entre o CMS na colheita e a qualidade pós-colheita dos frutos. Os frutos foram colhidos em plantas enxertadas sobre M9 ou Marubakaido com filtro M9, em Caçador, São Joaquim e Vacaria. No experimento 1 (2014), a maturação dos frutos foi monitorada periodicamente durante 83 dias antes da data de colheita comercial, em 2014. No experimento 2, os frutos foram colhidos em estádio de maturação ideal para longos períodos de armazenagem e armazenados sob atmosfera do ar a 0,5 ºC (2014) ou em estádio de maturação avançado e armazenados sob atmosfera controlada a 0,7 ºC (2014 e 2015). A maturação dos frutos foi caracterizada pela redução da firmeza da polpa e aumento do índice de amido e sólidos solúveis (SS), mas as mudanças no CMS foram mínimas nesse período. O CMS na colheita correlacionou-se com a firmeza de polpa e com o teor SS em somente um dos dois anos estudados e não foi associado com a incidência de desordens. Os resultados evidenciam que o CMS não é um bom indicador do estádio de maturação de maçãs ‘Fuji’, e seu emprego como indicador da qualidade pós-colheita não é consistente entre anos de produção, tornando seu uso limitado.

Este estudo foi realizado para analisar a qualidade e o preço de maçãs no mercado varejista brasileiro. Amostras de maçãs cv. Gala, Fuji e Red Delicious foram coletadas mensalmente entre março de 2010 e janeiro de 2011, em 20 supermercados de Curitiba, São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro e Recife. Quatro supermercados de cada cidade foram previamente selecionados e definidos como locais de amostragem das maçãs ao longo dos 11 meses. A Categoria (escala 1 para máxima qualidade a 3 para mínima qualidade) das maçãs foi determinada pela análise da qualidade externa (coloração, severidade de danos fisiológicos, mecânicos, por fungos, insetos, granizo, etc.) de acordo com normas legais do MAPA. A categoria média das maçãs expostas nos supermercados aumentou ao longo do ano de 1,6 a 2,0 para ‘Gala’, de 1,8 a 2,4 para ‘Fuji’ e de 1,4 a 1,8 para ‘Red Delicious’. A perda da qualidade dos frutos no período, entre as datas de empacotamento e de exposição aos consumidores, foi evidente em todos os meses e cultivares. A depreciada qualidade externa das maçãs expostas nos supermercados foi associada a altas incidências de danos mecânicos e podridões, que variaram de 13 a 50% e 1 a 20%, respectivamente, dependendo da cultivar e do mês de análise. A firmeza da polpa das maçãs diminuiu de março a julho para níveis inferiores a 12 lb e então tendeu a aumentar a patamares de aproximadamente 14 a 15 lb de novembro a janeiro, dependendo da cultivar. Variações dos preços e da qualidade ao longo do ano indicaram que o preço das maçãs nas gôndolas dos mercados é mais influenciado pela sazonalidade ou pressão de oferta que pela qualidade das maçãs. O preço das maçãs variou entre as regiões de comercialização de forma similar para as três cultivares. Dados evidenciam que o tempo médio entre a data de embalagem dos frutos e sua exposição nas gôndolas dos mercados é de 17 e 28 dias para maçãs ‘Gala’ e ‘Fuji’, respectivamente. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality and price of apples in the Brazilian retailer market. Samples of Gala, Fuji and Red Delicious apples were collected monthly between March of 2010 and January of 2011 in 20 supermarkets in Curitiba, São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro and Recife. Four supermarkets in each city were previously selected and defined as sources of apple samples for the 11 months of the study. The Category (scale 1 to 3) of the apples was defined by external fruit quality (color; severity of physiological, mechanical, fungus, insect and hail damage, etc) according to the legal standards of MAPA. Category 1 and 3 represent the highest and lowest fruit quality standards, respectively. The average Category of the apples in the supermarkets increased during the year from 1.6 to 2.0 for ‘Gala’, from 1.8 to 2.4 for ‘Fuji’ and from 1.4 to 1.8 for ‘Red Delicious’. The loss of quality in the period between the packing and the exposure of the fruits in the supermarket was evident in all 11 months and varieties. The decrease of the external quality in the apples at the supermarket was associated with high incidence of mechanical damages and decay that ranged between 13 to 50% and 1 to 20%, respectively, depending of the variety and the month of evaluation. The flesh firmness of the apples decreased between March and July for levels below 12 lb and tended to increase to levels close to 14 and 15 lb between November and January depending of the variety. The standards of price and quality fluctuation along the year indicate that the retail price of the apple is more influenced by the seasonality or the pressure of sales than by the quality of the fruit. The variation of apple prices among regions was similar for the three varieties. Data indicated that average period between packing and supermarket exposure is 17 and 28 days for ‘Gala’ and ‘Fuji’ apples, respectively.

O presente estudo avaliou o impacto do tratamento 1-MCP sobre a conservação da qualidade de caqui 'Fuyu', e como a exposição pós-colheita ao etileno pode afetar a eficácia do 1-MCP. Os frutos foram colhidos em quatro diferentes estádios de maturação conforme indicado pelo índice de coloração da casca, após a maturação fisiológica. Frutos foram tratados com 0,1 e 1 µL ·L-1 de 1-MCP, um dia após a colheita, e mantidos a 23ºC por até 45 dias, em ar ambiente contendo baixa (d" 0,1 µL ·L-1) ou alta (3 ± 2 µL ·L-1) concentração de etileno. O tratamento com 1-MCP retardou o amolecimento da polpa, o desenvolvimento da coloração dos frutos e o aumento da produção de etileno, mas não alterou o teor de açúcares solúveis e a acidez titulável. A vida pós-colheita (período entre a colheita e o amolecimento da polpa) dos frutos foi aumentada por até 20 dias em relação aos frutos não-tratados. Frutos colhidos em estádio avançado de maturação apresentaram menor vida pós-colheita, independentemente do tratamento 1-MCP. O benefício do tratamento 1-MCP foi maior para frutos colhidos precocemente e para frutos expostos a 3 µL ·L-1 de etileno. The present study determined the impact of 1-mcp treatment on the quality maintenance of 'Fuyu' persimmons, and how the postharvest exposure to ethylene could influence the 1-MCP effectiveness. The fruits were harvested at four different ripening stages according to skin color, after physiologic maturity. Fruits were treated with 0.1 and 1.0 µL ·L-1 of 1-MCP one day after harvest, and then held at 23ºC for up to 45 days in air with low (d" 0,1 µL ·L-1) or high (3 ± 2 µL ·L-1) ethylene . 1-MCP treatment delayed fruit softening and changes of skin color and the increase in the ethylene production, whereas it had no effect on soluble solids content and on titratable acidity. The postharvest life (period between harvest and pulp softening) of fruits was increased for up to 20 days in comparison to control fruits. Persimmons harvested at advanced ripening stages had shorter postharvest life, regardless of 1-MCP treatment. The effectiveness of 1-MCP treatment was more pronounced in fruits harvested at early stages and for fruits exposed to 3 µL ·L-1 ethylene.

Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito do 1-MCP sobre o amadurecimento e a qualidade pós-colheita de quivi 'Hayward' armazenado sob diferentes atmosferas. Foram conduzidos dois experimentos, com frutos colhidos em pomar comercial localizado em Fraiburgo-SC. No experimento 1, os frutos foram tratados com três doses de 1-MCP (0,0; 0,5 ou 1,0 µL L-1) e armazenados sob atmosfera controlada (AC, contendo 2,0kPa de O2 + 4,5kPa de CO2, a 0ºC ± 0,5ºC, 92 ± 3% UR, e com

Estudos indicam que a eficiência do 1-metilciclopropeno (1-MCP) para conservação pós-colheita de maçãs é máxima quando aplicado até uma semana após a colheita. No entanto, o carregamento das câmaras de armazenagem comerciais com maçãs 'Fuji' pode extender-se por mais de uma semana. Os efeitos da aplicação tardia do 1-MCP para maçãs 'Fuji' não têm sido reportados. Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar os efeitos do retardo na aplicação de 1-MCP, a partir da data de colheita, na preservação da firmeza de polpa, acidez titulável (AT) e sólidos solúveis (SS), e na prevenção de escaldadura superficial, escurecimento da polpa e podridões em maçãs 'Fuji Suprema'. Os frutos foram colhidos em pomares comerciais do Estado de Santa Catarina, nas regiões de Fraiburgo (quatro pomares), Bom Retiro (três pomares) e São Joaquim (três pomares), em abril de 2006. Os frutos foram refrigerados 12 h após a colheita e mantidos durante nove meses sob atmosfera do ar a 0,5 ± 0,5 ºC e 90-95% de UR. Os frutos foram tratados com ar (controle) ou 1-MCP (1 µL.L-1, durante 24h), na mesma temperatura de armazenamento, aos 0; 4; 8; 12; 16 ou 20 dias após a colheita. A qualidade dos frutos foi determinada após o armazenamento refrigerado, mais sete dias a 23 ºC. O retardo na aplicação do 1-MCP, por até 20 dias após a colheita, não reduziu sua eficiência na conservação da firmeza da polpa e na prevenção do escurecimento da polpa e podridões, em frutos colhidos nas três regiões, bem como na preservação do teor de SS em frutos colhidos em Bom Retiro e São Joaquim. No entanto, a eficiência do 1-MCP sobre a prevenção da escaldadura superficial foi reduzida quando sua aplicação foi atrasada por 16 ou 20 dias a partir da data de colheita, especialmente nos frutos das regiões que apresentaram maior suscetibilidade ao distúrbio (Fraiburgo e São Joaquim). Os benefícios do 1-MCP sobre a conservação da AT foram reduzidos quando aplicado 20 dias após a colheita nos frutos da região Bom Retiro. Os resultados deste estudo evidenciam os benefícios do tratamento 1-MCP na conservação da qualidade de maçãs 'Fuji Suprema', armazenadas sob atmosfera do ar, por longos perídos, e a redução da eficiência deste tratamento na prevenção da escaldadura superficial, quando a aplicação for atrasada em mais de 12 dias após a colheita dos frutos. It has been shown that the maximum efficiency of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) for postharvest preservation of apples is acchieved when fruit are treated up to one week after harvesting. However, the full loading of commercial stores with 'Fuji' apples might take more than one week. The effects of delays for 1-MCP treatment of 'Fuji' apples have not been reported. This work was carried out to assess the effects of delaying treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), after fruit harvest, on flesh firmness, titratable acidity (TA), soluble solids content (SSC), as well as on prevention of superficial scald, core browning, and decay of 'Fuji Suprema' apples. Fruit were harvested in commercial orchards of Santa Catarina State, located at the regions of Fraiburgo (four orchards), Bom Retiro (three orchards), and São Joaquim (three orchards), in April of 2006. Fruits were cold stored 12h after harvesting, and left during nine months in air at 0.5 ± 0.5 ºC and 90-95% RH. Fruit were treated with air (control) or 1-MCP (1 µL.L-1, for 24 h), in hermetical chambers, at harvest, or after 4, 8, 12, 16, or 20 days at 0.5 ºC. Fruit quality was assessed after removal from cold storage, followed by seven days at 23 ºC. The delay of 1-MCP treatment, for up to 20 days after fruit harvesting, did not reduce its efficiency to preserve flesh firmness and to prevent core browning and decay, in fruit from the three regions, as well as to preserve the SSC in fruits from Bom Retiro and São Joaquim. However, the efficiency of 1-MCP to prevent superficial scald was reduced when its application was delayied by 16 or 20 days after harvesting, especially in apples from regions with a high susceptibility to the disorder (Fraiburgo and São Joaquim). The benefits of 1-MCP to preserve the TA were reduced in fruit from Bom Retiro, treated 20 days after harvest. These results show the benefits of 1-MCP to preserve fruit quality of 'Fuji Suprema' during long term storage in air, and the loss of its efficiency to prevent superficial scald with delays of fruit treatment superior to 12 days after harvesting.

O presente estudo analisou os efeitos do inibidor da ação do etileno 1-MCP (1-metilciclopropeno), da AM (atmosfera modificada) e do oxidante de etileno KMnO4 (permanganato de potássio) sobre a qualidade de caqui 'Fuyu' após a armazenagem refrigerada. Os fatores 1-MCP, AM e KMnO4 foram combinados de quatro maneiras, correspondendo aos seguintes tratamentos: T1) Controle + AM + KMnO4;T2) 1-MCP + AM + KMnO4; T3) 1-MCP + AM, e T4) 1-MCP + AA (AA=atmosfera do ar). Frutos maduro-firmes com coloração da casca predominantemente amarela foram colhidos em sete pomares comerciais no nordeste do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Parte dos frutos foi exposta a 0.3 µL L-1 de 1-MCP por 12 h em 24 h após a colheita. A seguir, os frutos foram armazenados sob AA ou sob AM induzida por bolsas de polietileno (0,04 mm de espessura), por 20; 40; 60 ou 80 dias a -0,1±0,8ºC. Dois sachês contendo 8,5 g de Alumina-KMnO4foram adicionados em cada uma das bolsas de polietileno dos tratamentos um e dois, antes de elas serem vedadas. Os frutos de cada período de armazenagem refrigerada foram analisados após 0; 3; 6 ou 9 dias de prateleira sob AA a 22±1ºC. O tratamento 1-MCP retardou o amolecimento da polpa, mas não afetou consistentemente o desenvolvimento de 'estrias' e manchas pretas na superfície dos frutos armazenados sob AM contendo KMnO4. A incidência de 'estrias' e manchas pretas em frutos tratados com 1-MCP e armazenados sob AM foi significativamente menor que a de frutos tratados com 1-MCP e armazenados sob AA. Houve efeitos aditivos do 1-MCP e AM na conservação da firmeza e na redução de danos por frio manifestados pela formação de textura gel-firme e manchas translúcidas na casca. O uso de KMnO4 não aumentou a conservação da qualidade dos frutos quando tratados com 1-MCP e armazenados sob AM. O desenvolvimento dos distúrbios da epiderme dependeu do pomar e de períodos de armazenagem e prateleira. No entanto, os benefícios da combinação de 1-MCP e AM sobre a redução desses distúrbios e do amolecimento dos frutos foram consistentes para todos os pomares. Os resultados indicam que a combinação de 1-MCP e AM é um método efetivo para retardar a deterioração de caqui 'Fuyu' durante e após a armazenagem refrigerada.

10.12957/cadest.2009.15746O presente estudo investiga a adequação de uma metodologia de previsão de preços para a manga Tommy e a uva Itália, produzidas e comercializadas no Vale do São Francisco, através da utilização das técnicas de Análise de Séries Temporais. Foram coletados e calculados, junto aos registros da Secretaria de Agricultura do Estado da Bahia, os preços médios mensais destes produtos entre 2002 e 2008, totalizando uma amostra de 84 períodos. Para a interpretação dos resultados, foram utilizados os modelos de previsão Holt-Winters e ARIMA. Os resultados indicam, dentre outras coisas, uma estacionariedade no preço da manga e uma tendência de aumento no preço da uva. A metodologia desenvolvida pôde ser considerada válida, pois forneceu os menores erros quadráticos de previsão por meio da suavização exponencial aditiva para a uva Itália (Holt-Winters) e o modelo ARIMA(2,0,1) para a manga Tommy. Sugestões de novos estudos são elaboradas ao final do artigo.

The objective of this study was to determine the relationship among dry matter content (DMC) and maturity indexes at harvest and quality of Gala apples after storage. Apple fruit of four ?Gala? strains produced on two rootstocks and three growing regions were used for experiments 1 and 2. For all experiments, fruit harvest maturity was assessed one day after harvest and stored fruit was assessed after removal from storage plus seven days at 22 °C. For experiment 1, fruit were harvested weekly along the final stages of growth and maturation on the tree. For experiment 2, fruit were harvested at commercial maturity and stored under a controlled atmosphere at 0.7 oC for 195 days. For experiment 3, fruit from two orchards were harvested at commercial maturity and stored in air at 1oC for 50, 110, or 194 days. DMC did not change during the final stages of fruit growth, however, there were significant changes in fruit firmness, starch index, and soluble solids content (SSC) during the same period. At the commercial harvest, fruit DMC showed high correlation with SSC, titratable acidity (TA) and firmness. DMC assessed at the commercial harvest also showed high correlation after storage with SSC and TA but not with firmness or flesh browning (FB). DMC decreased slightly during storage. The results show that DMC is not a reliable index to determine Gala apple maturity at harvest, or to predict fruit firmness and FB after storage. However, DMC at harvest has potential to predict SSC and TA after storage, two important fruit quality traits. Fruit density at harvest showed utility to predict risk of flesh browning after storage. Made available in DSpace on 2022-08-19T17:19:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Relationship-among-dry-matter-content-and-maturity-indexes-2022.pdf: 1648133 bytes, checksum: dfb69ceee487067db59c60e2e7934b13 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2022