Preharvest application of Harpin on the cool storage life of pepper

Abstract

Effect of preharvest application of Harpin (a plant activator) and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the fruit quality and storage life of pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. 'Demre') was investigated. Peppers grown in greenhouse were treated three times with Harpin, the first treatment starting when the plants were 15 days old and subsequent treatments at 14 day-intervals. The fruits were stored in the plastic film materials with various O-2 and CO2 permeabilities. The fruits were stored in the cold room at 7 degrees C and 90 +/- 5% relative humidity. Gas composition (O-2, CO2 and C2H4) within two film package types (PP and PVC) and quality changes of the peppers were evaluated during the storage period. At the end of the study, Harpin treatment and 35 mu m polypropylene (PP) packaging material together gave the best result for a 30 day-storage period.