Author
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Wang, Chien |
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Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 7/3/1998 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Sprouting of some vegetable crops during storage is a problem. Sprouts on fresh fruits or vegetables detract from appearance and affect market quality. This problem is especially notable in potatoes and radishes. A survey revealed that about 30 percent of radishes on the market had sprouted in varying degrees. Our study showed that treatment with a naturally occurring substance, methyl jasmonate, was effective in inhibiting sprouting of radishes. This compound not only inhibited the sprouting of the top but also retarded the growth of the roots. As a result, weight loss from treated radishes during storage was also significantly reduced. This research is useful to the shippers and packers who handle radishes and is also beneficial to the consumers. Technical Abstract: Treatment of topped radishes (Raphanus sativus L., cv. Cherry Belle) with methyl jasmonate was effective in inhibiting postharvest sprouting of new leaves and growth of roots. Radishes were trimmed to 10-mm tops and dipped in various methyl jasmonate suspensions for three minutes. After storage at 15 degrees C for seven days, the growths of new leaves were 26, 22, 7, 3, and 1 mm in 0, 10 negative 5, 10 negative 4, 10 negative 3, or 2x10 negative 3 M methyl jasmonate-treated radishes, respectively. The lengths of root growth were also reduced by methyl jasmonate particularly at higher concentrations. These treatments also substantially reduced weight loss possibly as a secondary effect. Fumigation with methyl jasmonate vapor in enclosed containers was also effective in inhibiting the sprouting of leaves and root growth, but to a lesser extent than dipping treatments. Radishes stored at 0 degrees C did not show any new growth of leaves or roots, and therefore, were not affected by the methyl jasmonate treatments. |
