1-Methylcyclopropene retards postharvest softening of plums

‘Fortune’, ‘Angeleno’ and ‘President’ plums were treated with 500 nl l-1 1-MCP at room temperature for 12 h and at low temperature for 24 h after harvest to evaluate the effectiveness of 1-MCP for extending shelf life at 20°C and storage at 0°C. In a separate experiment, ‘Fortune’ and ‘Angeleno’ were treated with 300 nl l-1 1-MCP at low temperature for 24 h. After treatment fruit were stored in air at 0°C and following storage were kept at 20°C. In ‘Fortune’, ‘Angeleno’ and ‘President’ 1-MCP delayed softening and colour changes at 20°C after harvest or following storage at 0°C. 1-MCP had no effects on soluble solids content (SSC) and acidity, in all three cultivars. In ‘Fortune’ and ‘Angeleno’ fruit 500 nl l-1 1-MCP at low temperature reduced decay caused by Monilinia laxa. Furthermore, a single application of 1- MCP at room and low temperature was equally effective in delaying the loss of firmness and colour changes.