Role of Brassinosteroid on Yield, Fruit Quality and Postharvest Storage of 'Tak Danehe Mashhad' Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium L.)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of brassinosteroid (BR) on yield, fruit quality and following storage of ‘Tak Danehe Mashhad’ sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.). In this study evaluated applications of BR 0(control), 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 mgl -1 at different stages, a) swollen bud stage, b) beginning of fruit set, c) swollen bud stage + beginning of fruit set, d. beginning of fruit set + 10 days per-harvest during 2012-2013. Results indicated that foliar applications of BR to ‘Tak Danehe Mashhad’ sweet cherry increased fruit color by increasing fruit anthocyanin content, organic acids, ascorbic acid, and phenol content. It also resulted in greater fruit firmness at harvest and after storage and increased fruit weight, diameter and length also increased by BR foliar application. Results indicated that if BR is used at swollen bud stage as foliar application, increased fruit yield and improved fruit quality. Later and delayed applications had lower effect on fruit quality and quantity characteristics. Additionally, BR promoted yield increment, its application increased shelf life of sweet cherry fruit during postharvest, too. While, treatment pre-harvest application of BR 0.75 mgl -1 + postharvest application of BR 0.1 mgl -1 and treatment pre-harvest application of BR 0.75 mgl -1 + postharvest application of BR 0.2 mgl -1 had more effect on shelf life ‘Tak Danehe Mashhad’ sweet cherry compared to other treatments.