Efecto de la aplicación de cuatro productos en precosecha sobre parámetros de calidad en frutos de pitahaya amarilla (Selenicereus megalanthus Haw.) en el cantón Palora.

Abstract

This present research aimed to evaluate the effect of the application of four pre-harvest products on quality parameters of yellow pitahaya fruits (Selenicereus megalanthus Haw.). The products used were Methyl Salicylate (SaMe), Salicylic Acid (SA), Methyl Jasmonate (JaMe) and Oxalic Acid (OA), at a concentration of 1, 5 and 10 mM for each product. The experiments were carried out in the Canton Palora in an area of 1 684 m2 under greenhouse conditions. Four applications directly to the fruit were made every 15 days for the treatments. The indicators Equatorial fruit diameter, Longitudinal fruit diameter, Fruit weight, Pulp content, Peel content, pH, Total Soluble Solids (TSS), Total Titratable Acidity (TTA), Hardness, Postharvest weight loss and Visual damage in the postharvest period were evaluated three times: during the development of the fruit, at 120 Days After Appearance of the Flower Bud (DAAFB) and at 15 Days After the harvest (DAH). As a result, the best treatment was methyl Jasmonate (JaMe) at a concentration of 10 mM, which showed a lower TTA content at 120 DAAFB, greater hardness at 120 DAAFB and at 15 DAH, less damage to the rind of the fruit, therefore, the product is more effective in pre-harvest application. It is recommended to investigate deeper the products, to carry out open field applications with the treatments that showed the most promising results and to complement alternative applications of the products in post-harvest handling.