Preharvest aminoethoxyvinylglycine spray efficacy in improving storability of ‘Bartlett’ pears is affected by application rate, timing, and fruit harvest maturity

• Preharvest AVG suppressed ethylene production of Bartlett during storage.
• Preharvest AVG improved storage quality and reduced senescence disorders.
• AVG delayed fruit maturation on the tree by 5–7 d.
• AVG efficacy was affected by application rate, timing, and harvest maturity.

‘Bartlett’ pear fruit has a relatively short storage life due to increased ethylene production induced by cold storage. The effects of preharvest aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) (an ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor) spray rate and timing on storability of ‘Bartlett’ pear fruit at three harvest maturities [H1: control fruit firmness (CFF) ≈ 84.5 N; H2: 12 d after H1 when CFF ≈ 76.0 N; and H3: 17 d after H1 when CFF ≈ 73.4 N] were measured with respect to ethylene production, storage quality and ripening capacity during 5 months of storage at −1.1 °C. Compared to non-treated control, AVG at 60 mg L−1 applied 1 week before H1 (WBH1) suppressed ethylene production, respiration rate, reductions in fruit firmness and green color, and reduced senescence disorders (e.g., by 81.5% and 54.0%) while maintaining ripening capacity for H1 and H2 fruit. Compared to 60 mg L−1, AVG at 120 mg L−1 applied 1WBH1 had similar effects on storage quality but delayed ripening capacity by one month. AVG at 30 mg L−1 applied 1 WBH1 and 120 mg L−1 applied 2 WBH1 had little effect on any of the storage responses measured. AVG treatment did not affect ethylene production or storage quality of H3 fruit. AVG at 60–120 mg L−1 applied 1 WBH1 and 120 mg L−1 applied 2 WBH1 did not affect the initial harvest maturity (H1), but delayed fruit maturation on the tree by 5–7 d. These results suggest that preharvest AVG treatment efficacy on extending harvest window and reducing storage losses of ‘Bartlett’ pear is influenced by application rate, timing and fruit harvest maturity.