EFFECT OF GROWTH REGULATORS ON FIRMNESS AND RED COLOR OF FRUIT

Growth regulators affect both firmness and red color of the fruit.
Compounds which enhance fruit ripening decrease, others which delay ripening increase fruit firmness.
Changes in fruit firmness induced by growth regulators are sudden, depend on the cultivar, and cannot be explained by changes in pectin content of cell walls.
Growth regulators generating ethylene, either directly or indirectly, increase red color of fruit.
This response is faster than other ripening responses triggered by ethylene.
North American literature on both effects of growth regulators is reviewed and possible mode of action of growth regulators in regard to firmness and red color is discussed.

Symposium on growth Regulators in Fruit Production

M. Faust

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1973.34.56