Influence of the ethylene-related signal-inhibiting octapeptide NOP-1 on postharvest ripening and quality of 'Golden Delicious' apples.

Background: Processes extending the shelf life of climacteric fruit play an important role in terms of a sustainable global food supply. In a previous study, a synthetic octapeptide (NOP-1) was shown to inhibit the interaction between ethylene receptor (ETR) and ethylene insensitive-2 (EIN2), and in consequence delay tomato ripening. We investigated for the first time the effect of NOP-1 on inhibiting the ripening of apples ('Golden Delicious') during postharvest.

Suitability of fluorescence indices for the estimation of fruit maturity compounds in tomato fruits.

Background: We examined the suitability of chlorophyll fluorescence-based indices to monitor and predict concentrations of fruit maturity compounds during tomato ripening under different growing conditions in the greenhouse. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of chlorophyll concentration changes on fluorescence-based indices and to exploit the relation between fluorescence and reflectance indices with the corresponding maturity compounds determined analytically.

Results: Fruits grown under water deficit matured faster than control fruits as recorded with fluorescence-based indices.

Inhibition of tomato shoot growth by over-irrigation is linked to nitrogen deficiency and ethylene.

Although physiological effects of acute flooding have been well studied, chronic effects of suboptimal soil aeration caused by over-irrigation of containerized plants have not, despite its likely commercial significance. By automatically scheduling irrigation according to soil moisture thresholds, effects of over-irrigation on soil properties (oxygen concentration, temperature and moisture), leaf growth, gas exchange, phytohormone [abscisic acid (ABA) and ethylene] relations and nutrient status of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill. cv.