PRE-RIPENING OF AVOCADO FRUIT BY POSTHARVEST TREATMENT WITH ETHYLENE

SUMMARY Softening of avocado fruits was studied after 48 hours treatment in a ripening chamber. Storage conditions between picking and ethylene treatment proved to be of great importance for successful pre-ripening. Ethylene treatment immediately after harvest did not speed up the ripening of Hass or Fuerte fruit. Fast and uniform softening was achieved if avocados were stored for 4 days prior to treatment.