The present work aimed to evaluate the efficiency of calcium (CaCl2), in the conservation of Fuyu kakis stored in: ambient temperature (AT), refrigerated atmosphere (RA) and modified atmosphere (MA). It was used randomized method as a design with four replications. The kakis were treated with 1% CaCl2 applied to the plants 90 days before the harvest every 15 days, in the form of total cover sprays. It was used distillated water as control treatment. The fruits were picked (1997/98) with a diameter of 65-75mm, green-yellow coloring and stored in: 1 - AT (23±3ºC and 75±5% of relative humidity); 2 - RA (temperature of 0±0.5ºC and 90±5% of relative humidity) and 3 - MA (low-density polyethylene film 33µm, 29 x 46cm, kept at temperatures of 0±0.5ºC and relative humidity of 90±5%) during 80 days. The fruits were submitted to evaluations of weight loss, pulp firmness, total soluble solids and external breakdown. The evaluations were performed 24 and 96 hours after the removal from the cold storage. The results indicate that the application of CaCl2 before the harvest increased the storage potential of the fruits. The usage of MA showed synergic effect, contributing to the potential improvement of kakis conservation.
post-harvest; ethylene; ripening; storage
