EFFECT OF PREHARVEST SPRAYING WITH THIDIAZURON ON FRUIT QUALITY AND MATURITY OF APPLES1

ABSTRACT- Apple trees, cultivars Gala and Fuji, were sprayed at full bloom with thidiazuron (TDZ) at the doses of 0, 5, 10, or 20 g (a.i.) ha-1 and fruit were assessed for quality and maturity. In both cultivars, the increase of TDZ dose had detrimental effects on fruit quality, causing a reduction of fruit red surface and an increase of percentage of fruit that was asymmetrical and with calyx-end rot. TDZ caused an increment of calyx-end aperture that might have increased calyx-end rot. TDZ increased density and the length: diameter (L: D) ratio of the fruit. The number of viable seeds was not affected by TDZ. TDZ resulted in a substantial delay of fruit maturity in ‘Gala ’ but not in ‘Fuji’. TDZ also reduced soluble solids content (SSC) in ‘Gala’ and reduced titratable acidity in both cultivars