Preharvest Calcium Chloride Spray for Increasing of Thomson Navel and Moro Oranges Quality at Harvesting Time and during Storage

Thomson Navel and Moro orange are important varieties which preserving in storeroom after harvesting for several months. Nowadays, researchers attempted to maintain quality appearance and fruit quality during storage. In this study, the effect of pre-harvest applications (three times) of calcium chloride (0, 1, 2 and 4 percent) was investigated on two citrus (‘Thomson’ and ‘Moro’) varieties during two consecutive years. Fruits harvested and preserved under 5 ◦C and 85 percent RH for 60 days. Some physicochemical properties were measured on the first, 30 and 60 days after harvesting. Results showed that weight loss in fruit treated by CaCl2 was significantly less than control during storage. Although during storage TA in ‘Thomson’ and ‘Moro’ both on treated and control fruits were decreased, but this decline was lower in fruits which treated by foliar CaCl2 applications. Ratio of TSS: TA and EC were lower in CaCl2 treatments at harvest and during storage than control. At each sampling time, amount of ascorbic acid was higher in treated fruits than control. In conclusion, CaCl2 appeared more significant role on keeping fruit quality during storage.