Variability of responses to 1-methylcyclopropene by banana: influence of time of year at harvest and fruit position in the bunch

To examine the effect of early‐climacteric (postripening) 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) exposure on the shelf‐life and quality of green Cavendish bananas (Musa acuminata cv. Williams) from the middle section of the bunch, bananas were harvested bimonthly and treated with 100 μL L^?1 ethylene for 2 consecutive days prior to exposure to 0, 100, 300, 1000, 3000 or 10 000 nL L^?1 1‐MCP for 24 h prior to storage at 22°C. 1‐MCP treatment at a concentration of 300 nL L^?1 or above increased banana shelf‐life significantly compared with the control, regardless of the month in which fruit were harvested except March where a higher concentration was needed (3000 nL L^?1). Fruit harvested in May were the most responsive with a greater than twofold increase in shelf‐life. To examine the effect of fruit position in the bunch on 1‐MCP efficacy, green fruit from the top or bottom of bunches were treated with 100 μL L^?1 ethylene for 2 consecutive days prior to early‐climacteric 1‐MCP (300 nL L^?1) exposure for 24 h at 22°C. In spring and autumn but not in summer, application of 1‐MCP to early‐climacteric fruit was more effective in fruit from the top than in those treated from the bottom of the bunch, increasing shelf‐life. Firmness of 1‐MCP‐treated fruit was up to 19% greater than that of the control across the year, except in fruit from the bottom of the bunch. Given that 1‐MCP is less effective in extending the shelf‐life of summer‐harvested fruit (particularly those from the bottom of the bunch), we conclude that preharvest conditions and fruit position in the bunch affect their responsiveness to ethylene and their behaviour during the ripening process.     

Effect of 1-MCP and low-temperature storage on postharvest conservation of camu–camu

Camu–camu, a native fruit from the Amazon region, is a rich source of bioactive compounds. However, its intense metabolic activity and high-water content limit the fruit’s postharvest storage and marketing. The aim of this study, conducted in two parts, was to evaluate the effects of 1-MCP and storage temperature on the physiology and postharvest preservation of camu–camu fruit. In part 1 of the study, fruit harvested at maturity stage 3 were divided into groups: control, 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP; 900 nL L^?1; 12 h) and ethylene (1000 µL L^?1; 24 h) and were stored at 22?±?1 °C and 85?±?5% RH for 9 days. In part 2, fruit harvested at maturity stage 3 were stored at 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25?±?1 °C and 85?±?5% RH for 9 days. During storage, fruit were evaluated daily for decay, mass loss, respiratory activity, and ethylene production, and every 3 days they were evaluated for peel color, pulp firmness, soluble solids content, total titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, total chlorophyll, and total anthocyanins. Fruit treated with 1-MCP exhibited delayed ripening due to lower metabolic activity, as evidenced by delay to softening, reduced mass loss and no decay. Storage at 5 °C prevented ethylene production, mass loss, color changes, and maintained pulp firmness, while did not affect soluble solids content. The results indicated that storage of camu–camu fruit at 5 °C or at 25 °C following application of 900 nL L^?1 1-MCP were effective strategies to delay ripening and maintain fruit quality up to 9 days.     

S‐adenosyl‐l‐methionine usage during climacteric ripening of tomato in relation to ethylene and polyamine biosynthesis and transmethylation capacity

S‐adenosyl‐l ‐methionine (SAM) is the major methyl donor in cells and it is also used for the biosynthesis of polyamines and the plant hormone ethylene. During climacteric ripening of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Bonaparte’), ethylene production rises considerably which makes it an ideal object to study SAM involvement. We examined in ripening fruit how a 1‐MCP treatment affects SAM usage by the three major SAM‐associated pathways. The 1‐MCP treatment inhibited autocatalytic ethylene production but did not affect SAM levels. We also observed that 1‐(malonylamino)cyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid formation during ripening is ethylene dependent. SAM decarboxylase expression was also found to be upregulated by ethylene. Nonetheless polyamine content was higher in 1‐MCP‐treated fruit. This leads to the conclusion that the ethylene and polyamine pathway can operate simultaneously. We also observed a higher methylation capacity in 1‐MCP‐treated fruit. During fruit ripening substantial methylation reactions occur which are gradually inhibited by the methylation product S‐adenosyl‐l ‐homocysteine (SAH). SAH accumulation is caused by a drop in adenosine kinase expression, which is not observed in 1‐MCP‐treated fruit. We can conclude that tomato fruit possesses the capability to simultaneously consume SAM during ripening to ensure a high rate of ethylene and polyamine production and transmethylation reactions. SAM usage during ripening requires a complex cellular regulation mechanism in order to control SAM levels.     

Postharvest senescence of fresh lotus pods and seeds is delayed by treatment with 1‐methylcyclopropene

Fresh lotus pods were treated with 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) at a concentration of 0.5 μL L^?1 for 24 h at 25°C and then stored at 25°C for 8 days. First, their quality and physiological changes during storage were measured in terms of visual appearance, respiration rate, firmness, and the contents of sugars, protein, total phenolics and malondialdehyde (MDA). The results showed that the 1‐MCP treatment reduced the browning of fresh lotus pods, and inhibited the respiration rate during storage. In addition, the 1‐MCP treatment alleviated changes in firmness, delayed starch and protein degradation, and the accumulation of reducing sugars and total sugars in lotus seeds, preserving the good taste of lotus seeds. Moreover, the 1‐MCP treatment alleviated the increase of MDA and effectively inhibited the decrease in total phenolics in lotus seeds during days 6 to 8 of storage. Meanwhile, the results of antioxidant capacity in lotus seeds indicated that 1‐MCP not only sustained a higher level of 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity, but also increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase throughout the storage period. However, the 1‐MCP treatment reduced polyphenol oxidase activity in seeds relative to the control. Moreover, we found that the adenosine triphosphate content and energy charge during the last 4 days of storage were higher in 1‐MCP‐treated seeds than in the control. These results indicated that the use of 0.5 μL L^?1 1‐MCP provided an effective method, via multiple lines of evidence, to delay the postharvest senescence of fresh lotus pods and seeds.     

Responses of banana fruit to treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene

Experiments were conducted to determine levels of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) exposure needed to prevent ethylene-stimulated banana fruit ripening, characterise responses of ethylene-treated fruit to subsequent treatment with 1-MCP, and to test effects of subsequent ethylene treatment on 1-MCP-treated fruit softening. Fruit softening was measured at 20°C and 90% relative humidity. One hour exposure at 20°C to 1000 nl 1-MCP/l essentially eliminated ethylene-stimulated ripening effects. Exposure for 12 h at 20°C to just 50 nl 1-MCP/l was similarly effective. Fruit ripening initiated by ethylene treatment could also be delayed with subsequent 1-MCP treatment. However, 1-MCP treatment only slowed down ripening of ethylene-treated fruit when applied at 1 day after ethylene and was ineffective when applied 3 or 5 days after ethylene treatment. The ripening response of fruit treated with 1-MCP and subsequently treated with ethylene varied with interval time between 1-MCP and ethylene treatments. As time increased, the response of 1-MCP-treated fruit to ethylene was enhanced. Responses to 0.1, 1, 10 or 100 µl ethylene/l concentrations were similar. Enzyme kinetic analysis applied to 1-MCP effects on ethylene-induced softening of banana fruit suggested that 1-MCP inhibition is by noncompetitive antagonism of ethylene binding.     

Post-harvest age-induced seed dormancy of Acer ginnala and its alleviation by growth regulator and low temperature treatments

One-month-old fruits of Acer ginnala with winged pericarp attached gave 44% germination and this was not increased by cold treatment at 4°C for 0, 10, 20, or 30 days, gibberellic acid treatment at 0, 1, 10, 100 or 1000 mg litre^-1, or ethephon treatment at 0, 2, 20, 200 or 2000 mg litre^-1. After 6 months of storage at 20–25 °C, germination of untreated fruits fell to 5% but could be restored to that of 1-month-old fruits by incubation at 4 °C for 30 days. After 9 months storage, no germination occurred in untreated fruits. Cold treatment (30 days at 4 °C partially restored germination (26%). Treatment with either gibberellic acid (1000 mg litre^-1) and 30 days at 4 °C (40%) or ethephon (100 mg litre^-] and 30 days at 4 °C improved germination (69%). The combination of all three treatments, i.e. 100 mg litre^-1 gibberellic acid, 100 mg litre^-1 ethephon and 30 days at 4 °C, optimised germination (86%). Thus, dormancy of A. ginnala developed during storage but could be reversed by a combination of treatment with low temperature and growth regulators. The highest germination (86%) was achieved after low temperature and growth regulator treatment of stored fruit.     

Effects of carbonyl sulfide, methyl iodide, and sulfuryl fluoride on fruit phytotoxicity and insect mortality

Three potential chemical fumigants: carbonyl sulfide (COS), methyl iodide (MI) and sulfuryl fluoride (SF) were tested at selected dosages on lemons against California red scale (Aonidiella aurantii) and MI and COS were tested on nectarines against codling moth (Cydia pomonella). In nectarines, COS was tested at 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 mg litre^?1, MI at 0, 10, 15, 20 and 25 mg litre^?1. Both fumigants intensified nectarine peel color, delayed fruit softening, but did not alter overall fruit quality. COS at 80 mg litre^?1 resulted in 87% codling moth mortality, but the fumigant dosage was insufficient to reach the desired probits 9 level (99.9968%). MI gave 100% codling moth mortality at 25 mg litre^?1. Lemons were treated with MI at 0,10,20,40,60 mg litre^?1, SF at 0,10,20,40, 80 mg litre^?1 and COS at 0,20,40, 60 and 80 mg litre^?1. MI gave 100% red scale mortality at ≥40 mg litre^?1 but caused significant fruit injury. Conditioning lemons at 15°C for 3 days before MI fumigation lessened lemon phytotoxicity. Forced aeration at 3.5 standard litres per minute of lemons for 24 h following MI fumigation at 20 mg litre^?1 significantly reduced phytotoxicity compared to 2 h postfumigation aeration after MI treatment. SF at ≥40 mg litre^?1 gave 100% red scale mortality but resulted in commodity phytotoxicity. Lemons treated with the highest selected dose of 80 mg litre^?1 COS gave only 87% kill of red scale, but failed to reach the desired probit 9 level.     

Effect of orchard and postharvest application of daminozide on ethylene synthesis by apple fruit

The effects of daminozide (butanedioic acid-2,2-dimethylhydrazide) on ethylene synthesis by apple fruits were investigated. The objective was to determine the effects of postharvest applications as compared to the standard application of diaminozide in the orchard. Immersion in a solution containing 4.25 g L^?1 active ingredient for 5 min delayed the rise in ethylene production in individual “Cox” apples at 15°C by about 2 days, whereas orchard application of 0.85 g L^?1 caused delays of about 3 days. Both modes of application depressed the maximal rate of ethylene production attained by ripe apples by about 30%. Daminozide did not affect the stimulation of respiration by ethylene treatment of “Gloster” apples, but it delayed the increase in ethylene synthesis. Daminozide applied immediately after harvest delayed the rise in ethylene synthesis in “Golden Delicious” held at 15°C, but it was less effective when applied 48 h after harvest or when apples were held at 5°C. Exposure to 1–2 μl L^?1 ethylene for 48 h was less effective in promoting the rise in ethylene in daminozidetreated “Cox” and “Gloster” apples than in untreated fruit. High (100–1000 μl L^?1) concentrations of ethylene more or less overcame the daminozide effect. Apples absorbed about 40% of surface-applied [¹⁴C]daminozide in 48 h, but more than 90% of the radioactivity in the fruit was recovered from the peel and outer 1 cm of the cortex. Daminozide was partly converted to carbon dioxide and other metabolites.     

Softening response of 1-methylcyclopropene-treated banana fruit to high oxygen atmospheres

Exposure to high O₂ concentrations may stimulate, have no effect or retard fruit ripening depending upon the commodity, O₂ concentration and storage time among other variables. The ethylene-binding inhibitor 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) was used to investigate ethylene-mediated softening responses of Williams banana fruit exposed to elevated O₂ for various periods of time. Fruit softening was measured at 25 °C and 90% relative humidity. Exposure to high O₂ concentrations for 5 days resulted in accelerated softening. Softening of fruit treated with 1-MCP for 12 h followed by 5 days of storage in high O₂ atmospheres at 25 °C was enhanced with increasing O₂ concentration between 21 and 100%. However, overall softening was much less compared to non-1-MCP-treated fruit. Softening of 1-MCP-treated fruit was progressively enhanced with increasing holding time from 5 to 20 days. Fruit treated with 1-MCP and then held for 10 days in high O₂ atmospheres followed by exposure to ethylene for 24 h and subsequent storage for 5 days at 25 °C softened more rapidly than those held in air for 10 days. 1-MCP-treated fruit held in various high O₂ atmospheres can regain gradually the sensitivity to ethylene and finally ripen over time. Enhanced softening of fruit exposed to elevated O₂ concentrations suggests that high O₂ treatments enhance synthesis of new ethylene binding sites.     

Effects of high temperatures on the ripening responses of bananas to acetylene

Unripe bananas were exposed to 1 ml litre^-1 of acetylene gas in air for different periods of time and different temperatures and then ripened at 20°C. It was found that exposure of fruits to acetylene for 4 h at 20 , 25 and 30°C, or 8 h at 20°C did not initiate ripening. Some fruits which had been exposed to acetylene for 4 h at 35°C or 8 h at 25°C and all fruit exposed for 8 h at 30° and 35°C ripened. These results indicate that bananas became more sensitive to ripening by acetylene as temperatures increased within the range of 20 to 35°C.     

Role of Brassinosteroids, Ethylene, Abscisic Acid, and Indole-3-Acetic Acid in Mango Fruit Ripening

Rapid ripening of mango fruit limits its distribution to distant markets. To better understand and perhaps manipulate this process, we investigated the role of plant hormones in modulating climacteric ripening of ??Kensington Pride?? mango fruits. Changes in endogenous levels of brassinosteroids (BRs), abscisic acid (ABA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and ethylene and the respiration rate, pulp firmness, and skin color were determined at 2-day intervals during an 8-day ripening period at ambient temperature (21?±?1°C). We also investigated the effects of exogenously applied epibrassinolide (Epi-BL), (+)-cis, trans-abscisic acid (ABA), and an inhibitor of ABA biosynthesis, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), on fruit-ripening parameters such as respiration, ethylene production, fruit softening, and color. Climacteric ethylene production and the respiration peak occurred on the fourth day of ripening. Castasterone and brassinolide were present in only trace amounts in fruit pulp throughout the ripening period. However, the exogenous application of Epi-BL (45 and 60?ng?g^?1 FW) advanced the onset of the climacteric peaks of ethylene production and respiration rate by 2 and 1?day, respectively, and accelerated fruit color development and softening during the fruit-ripening period. The endogenous level of ABA rose during the climacteric rise stage on the second day of ripening and peaked on the fourth day of ripening. Exogenous ABA promoted fruit color development and softening during ripening compared with the control and the trend was reversed in NDGA-treated fruit. The endogenous IAA level in the fruit pulp was higher during the preclimacteric minimum stage and declined during the climacteric and postclimacteric stages. We speculate that higher levels of endogenous IAA in fruit pulp during the preclimacteric stage and the accumulation of ABA prior to the climacteric stage might switch on ethylene production that triggers fruit ripening. Whilst exogenous Epi-BL promoted fruit ripening, endogenous measurements suggest that changes in BRs levels are unlikely to modulate mango fruit ripening.     

Role of Antifungal Gallotannins,Resorcinols and Chitinases in the Constitutive Defence of Immature Mango (Mangifera indica L.) against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

Conidia of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides germinate and form infection hyphae on inoculated, immature mango but remain quiescent until fruit ripening. Antifungal resorcinols have previously been implicated for quiescence of C. gloesoporioides and Alternaria alternata on mango. This study revealed the presence of a mixture of several gallotannins with glycosidic linkages, including 1,2,3,4,6‐penta‐O‐galloyl‐β‐D‐glucopyranose, with significant antifungal activity in the unripe mango fruit peel. Gallotannin antifungal activity was greater in a cultivar resistant (295.8 mm² inhibition) to anthracnose than in a susceptible (148.4 mm² inhibition) cultivar. In both, the activity decreased with ripening but the decrease was 10% less in the resistant cultivar. Three recorcinols, 5‐pentadecylresorcinol, 5‐(12‐cis‐heptadecenyl)resorcinol, AR 21 and another resorcinol derivative were present in the unripe fruit peel and all declined during ripening, more significantly the 5‐(12‐cis‐heptadecenyl)resorcinol and AR 21. Mango latex, when drained out, separates into an oily and aqueous phase. The aqueous phase showed significant chitinase activity and the ability to digest conidia of C. gloeosporioides. The oily phase has previously been reported to contain resorcinols. Draining fruits of latex soon after harvest resulted in greater incidence and severity of anthracnose at ripe stage. Chitinase activity was less in the peel of fruits from which latex was drained. The evidence suggests that the resistance of unripe mango to C. gloeosporioides is because of an elaborate constitutive defence system comprising antifungal resorcinols, gallotannins and chitinases.     

Effect of diazocyclopentadiene on tomato ripening

Diazocyclopentadiene (DACP) in the presence of fluorescent light delayed ripening of tomato fruits treated at the mature green (no visible red) stage. At 25 °C, ripening was delayed 10 days if DACP [185 µl/1 (gas)] was added as a single treatment and longer if DACP was added intermittently at 5-day intervals. The addition of 1000 µl/1 ethylene following DACP and light treatment did not hasten ripening. Little ripening delay was noted for fruit + DACP held in darkness. Tomatoes covered with aluminum foil so as to exclude light but not light-activated DACP, showed ripening inhibition. Apparently, the light-activated product from DACP is stable long enough to diffuse into fruit held in darkness. After an initial inhibition, ethylene production was greatly increased in tomatoes treated with DACP. Tomatoes with or without DACP treatment were held either in air or 5% O₂/95% N₂ for 12 days then treated with ethylene. Treatment with 5% O₂ alone delayed ripening when compared to air alone, however, both groups reached 80% red color by 18 days. DACP treated fruit, whether held in air or 5% O₂, still were green after 18 days and only approached 80% red color after approximately 27 days. Thus, 5% oxygen did not appear to slow the reversal of DACP inhibition of ripening.     

Effects of ethylene and acetylene on mango fruit ripening

Mangoes (var. Tommy Atkins) were exposed to ethylene and acetylene over a range of concentrations at high humidity for 24 h at 25°C, then ripened in air alone. Ripeness was assessed after 4 and 8 days by analysis of texture, colour development, soluble solids and acid contents. Ethylene in air at concentrations of 0.01 ml litre^-1 and above or acetylene at 1.0 ml litre^-1 were found to initiate ripening. Treatment with 0.01 ml litre^-1 acetylene resulted in limited softening but had no effect on the other ripening changes analysed. Individual ripening processes responded differently to treatment: texture changes were most rapidly affected, while the rate of acidity losses was often reduced in ethylene treated fruits. Acetylene-treated fruits at concentrations of 0.01 and 0.1 ml litre^-1 showed delayed ripening when compared to those treated with either 1.0 ml litre^-1 acetylene or ethylene. Increased acetylene concentrations of 2.0 ml litre^-1 gave a similar response to 1.0 ml litre^-1, although in some instances there were indications of inhibitory effects.     

Calcium nitrate delays climacteric of persimmon fruit

Calcium nitrate (20 g litre^?1) delayed persimmon (Diospyros kaki) ripening on the tree and also reduced postharvest fruit deterioration when applied prior to fruit colour break. The magnitude of the response depended on the date of treatment. Application made one month prior to the peak of estimated commercial harvest was the most efficacious, and colour development, fruit softening and ethylene production were significantly retarded by the treatment. At harvest, there was no effect on fruit size or soluble solids content. Although there was a tendency for the content of soluble solids and fruit firmness to decrease with storage period, firmness of treated fruit was maintained.     

The combined effect of 1‐methylcyclopropene and citral suppressed postharvest grey mould of tomato fruit by inhibiting the growth of Botrytis cinerea

1‐Methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP, 1 μl/L) and 1 × minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) citral alone and in combination were used to treat on postharvest tomato fruits to investigate their influence on disease incidence and postharvest quality during fruit storage, which were stored at 90%–95% relative humidity and 25 ± 2°C. Weight loss, pH, hue angle (Hue^°), total soluble solid (TSS), ascorbic acid content, firmness and antioxidant enzyme activities were evaluated after each storage period. 1 μl/L 1‐MCP or 1 × MFC citral reduced weight loss, retarded peel colour changes and retained postharvest fruit quality. 1 μl/L 1‐MCP + 1 × MFC citral could better maintain firmness and ascorbic acid content and increase antioxidant enzyme activities, compared to other treatments. Disease incidence of tomato fruit was significantly decreased, and spore germination and mycelia growth of Botrytis cinerea were suppressed by the combined treatment with 1 μl/L 1‐MCP and 1 × MFC citral. These results indicate that the combined treatment could effectively delay postharvest tomato fruits senescence and inhibit postharvest pathogens in vitro.     

Respiratory Patterns in Fruit of Pineapple, Ananas comosus, Detached at Different Stages of Development

The postharvest respiratory drifts for six stages of development of pineapple fruit (Ananas comosus cv. Cayenne) ranging from dry flower to senescence are presented. Based upon these data, pineapple is a non-climacteric fruit. Pineapple does produce ethylene gas hut when levels ranging from 0.01 to 1000 μl/l were applied to stage 4 fruits (fruit just at the start of ripening) no respiration or chemical changes were induced which could he interpreted as affecting the ripening processes. A decrease in the oxygen concentration (to 2.5 per cent) resulted in a decrease in the respiration rate. An increased carbon dioxide concentration (up to 10 per cent) had not detectable effect on the respiration rate.     

Cyclic strain stimulates monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 mRNA expression in smooth muscle cells

Hemodynamic forces are important determinants for the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. The recruitment of circulating monocytes into the arterial wall is an important step during atherogenesis. Monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 (MCP‐1) has been shown to be a key factor for monocyte transmigration. This study examined the effects of cyclic strain on MCP‐1 mRNA expression levels of cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells. The MCP‐1 mRNA levels of aortic smooth muscle cells first increased as the duration of cyclic strain increased, reaching the maximum at 6–12 h, maintained at high levels throughout the 48‐h strain period. To explore signaling pathways mediating cyclic strain‐stimulated MCP‐1 mRNA expression, we examined the involvement of tyrosine kinase and protein kinase C (PKC). Tyrosine kinase inhibitors, genistein and tyrphostin 51, at 50 μM blocked cyclic strain‐stimulated MCP‐1 mRNA expression. Preincubation with a PKC activator, phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA), 2 μM, for 24 h to downregulate PKC did not decrease cyclic strain‐induced MCP‐1 mRNA expression. A 6‐h incubation with 0.1 μM PMA to activate PKC, which stimulated MCP‐1 expression when applied alone, abolished the stimulatory effects of cyclic strain. A specific PKC inhibitor, calphostin C (0.1 μM), diminished cyclic strain‐stimulated MCP‐1 mRNA expression. Angiotensin II at 10 or 1,000 nM induced a moderate upregulation of MCP‐1 mRNA, and no synergistic effects were observed between angiotensin II and cyclic strain. These results indicate that cyclic strain stimulates MCP‐1 mRNA expression in smooth muscle cells through signaling pathway(s) mediated by tyrosine kinase activation. J. Cell. Biochem. 76:303–310, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

The effects of ethylene concentration in controlled atmosphere storage of tomatoes

Previous studies have demonstrated that mature green tomatoes can be stored for up to 10 wk at 12. 5°C, 93–95% r.h. in a controlled atmosphere (CA) containing 5% CO ₂ , 5% O₂ and 90% N ₂ , and will then ripen satisfactorily in air at 20°C. The effects of different concentrations of ethylene between <0.1 and 30 μl/litre in this storage atmosphere on ripening changes and fruit quality after 5 wk CA storage and a further 8 or 9 days ripening in air were investigated using cv. Sonatine glasshouse tomatoes. Maintaining ethylene concentrations in the storage atmosphere to.1 plllitre resulted in poor and uneven ripening of the tomatoes after storage, and increased their susceptibility to infection by Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium spp. Fruit previously stored in atmospheres containing 5 to 30 μl/litre ethylene were significantly softer after ripening than tomatoes stored in lower ethylene concentrations. Overall, the best results in terms of fruit quality (colour, firmness) and a low incidence of fungal infection were achieved with 1–3 μl/litre ethylene. The practical problems in achieving and maintaining optimum conditions, including the correct ethylene level, in CA storage of tomatoes are also discussed.