The application of methyl jasmonate as pre-harvest treatment enhances yield, productivity and quality at harvest in pomegranate
2019
Guillen, F. | Serrano, M. | Castillo, S. | Garcia-Pastor, M. E. | Martinez-Romero, D. | Valero, D. | Zapata, P. J.
Methyl jasmonate (MeJa) is a naturally-occurring compound in plant organs. Pomegranate trees (Punica granatum L.) in a commercial orchard were pre-harvest treated with 3 concentrations of methyl jasmonate (MeJA): 1, 5 and 10 mM while controls were sprayed with distilled water. The total number of applications were five, starting May 30, till harvest (October 18th and October 31st) when yield and physico-chemical quality parameters were determined. All yield results were significantly higher in MeJa treatments. Similarly, the number of fruit per tree was significantly enhanced in MeJA-treated pomegranates. After, at the second picking date control trees produced 108 fruits tree‑1 and 138, 141 and 119 fruits tree‑1 for MeJA at 1, 5 and 10, respectively. With respect to quality, aril color was also enhanced for all MeJA treatments. In addition, firmness at harvest was higher with respect to control, especially in trees treated with 1 and 5 mM. The content of total soluble solids were slightly higher in MeJA-treated pomegranates and the content of total acidity. In summary, MeJA applied as pre-harvest is a good tool to increase yield and productivity and to enhance quality parameters (color and firmness), especially with the dose of 1 or 5 mM.
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