Abstract

ALVAREZ-ARMENTA, Rosario et al. Growth regulators on ripening and senescence of mexican lime fruits. Agric. Téc. Méx [online]. 2008, vol.34, n.1, pp.5-11. ISSN 0568-2517.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a pre-harvest application of growth regulators on the external and internal quality of the mexican lime fruit. In a seven years old commercial orchard located at Tecoman, Colima, Mexico, 52 trees were selected and in each of them three clusters with at least 20 fruits were chosen in March 2004. The following growth regulators were applied 75 days after anthesis: giberellic acid AG₃, Benziladenin and Indole-butyric 3 acid, in concentrations from 0 to 20 ppm, individually or combined. The color of the peel, weight loss, total soluble solids, titratable acidity and ascorbic acid content in the juice were determined at one day after harvest, 35 days after storage at 9 °C and after an additional period of seven days at 20 °C. The aspersion of 10 or 20 ppm of Giberellic acid mixed with 5 ppm of Benziladenin or 15 ppm of indole-butyric 3 acid had the more favorable effect on the maintenance of fruit quality, mainly during the first 35 days of storage at 9 °C. After that period, a reduction in the acetylic acid content and a noticeable change in fruit color were observed in fruits from all treatments. The growth regulators in combination with a storage temperature of 9 °C extended the internal and external quality of the mexican lime fruit.

Keywords : Citrus aurantifolia Swingle; growth regulators; senescence; maturation.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )