Effect of several calcium compound sprayduring various growth stageson some qualitative characteristics of  Fuji apple

In this study, calcium chloride (CaCl2) and two organic calcium compounds namely Calcicat and Folical were applied at four different spray programs including All-, Early-, Mid- and Late-season spray at the Abhar region in Zanjan were compared in 2012. Some qualitative characteristics of ‘Fuji’ apple fruit such as peel color and anthocyanin, internal ethylene concentration, total phenolic content and percentage of internal browning incidence were studied at harvest and during storage. The color indices namely L*¡ C*and h °were influenced by the calcium solution spray. Folical increased the L* index compared to control. Fruits which received calcium solutions had higher h° index and lower C* index than control. The anthocyanin content of fruit peel was influenced only by spray timing, at harvest. Late season spray resulted in less anthocyanin accumulation compared to other programs. Total phenolic content of the peel and pulp was affected by calcium compounds and spray programs in differently ways. There was not a clear trend in phenolic compounds change during storage; meanwhile, total phenolics decreased in the fruits peel and pulp. Calcium application decreased internal ethylene concentration. All calcium treatments significantly decreased the internal browning; however, it was not observed insprayed fruits by early season Folical and midseason Calcicat.