Synergistic and antagonistic effects of preharvest salicylic acid and postharvest 1-methylcyclopropene treatments on the storage quality of apricot

Preharvest salicylic acid (SA, 1 mmol/L) spraying at 72 and 74 days after complete bloom combined with postharvest 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP, 1 μL L-1) fumigation was conducted to improve the storage quality of apricot. The results showed that preharvest SA combined with postharvest 1-MCP (SA + 1-MCP) treatment delayed the ethylene peak, inhibited respiration, slowed fruit softening, maintained high sugar and organic acid contents, and maintained high antioxidant capacity in apricots. SA + 1-MCP treatment produced synergistic effects on ethylene production, respiration rate, firmness, sorbitol, glucose and citric acid, but antagonistic effects on fructose, sucrose, malic acid, and total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. In addition, SA treatment could overcome the disadvantages or enhance positive effects of 1-MCP treatment. Both synergistic and antagonistic effects of SA + 1-MCP treatment can achieve efficient preservation than individual 1-MCP or SA treatment. Thus, the SA + 1-MCP treatment may be an effective method for improving the storage quality of apricots.