Resumen

UNDURRAGA M, Pedro; OLAETA C, José A; RETAMALES A, Jorge  y  BRITO P, Alejandra. Effect of Dipping in Calcium Solutions on Peteca (Rind Pitting) in Lemons and Limes, Harvested After a Rainfall and Cold Stored. Agric. Téc. [online]. 2006, vol.66, n.1, pp. 3-12. ISSN 0365-2807.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0365-28072006000100001.

Peteca (rind pitting) is a physiological disorder that produces decay in lemon peels (Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.), affecting fruit quality. The objective of this assay was to evaluate in lemons cv. Genova, with yellow and silver green rinds, the effect of post-harvest calcium immersion, on rind pitting incidence in cold stored fruit after rainfall induced stress. The fruit was harvested, 3, 6 and 9 days after a rainfall, and dipped in calcium solutions: calcium nitrate 0.8%; calcium chloride at 0.5% and 1% of commercial product, and later stored at 7ºC for 0, 15, 30 and 45 days. The presence of rind pitting and calcium percentage in the rind was evaluated. Also, histological analyse of fruit affected with rind pitting was carried out. At each harvest date, lemons harvested with yellow rinds developed more rind pitting than silver green lemons, and extending days after harvest rainfall reduced rind pitting intensity. Yellow lemons harvested three days after a rainfall, treated with 1% of commercial calcium chloride product, didn’t show development of petaca compared with the control. It was not possible to associate the calcium level of the rind with rind pitting development.

Palabras llave : peteca rind pitting; calcium; lemons; maturity; histological cuts.