Journal of Hunan Ecological Science

【Objective】It is to investigate the effects of different harvesting periods and storage tem- peratures on the fruit quality of Zhuxue peach (Prunus persica Batsch cv. Zhuxue). 【Method】Three dif- ferent harvesting periods of Zhuxue peach fruits after flowering were used as the research object. Two storage methods, room temperature (25 ℃) and low temperature (5 ℃), were used for post harvest storage. Seven quality indicators, including decay rate, weight loss rate, soluble solids content, titratable acid content, vitamin C content, fruit hardness, and solid acid ratio, were measured after different har- vesting periods and storage temperatures. SPSS was used to conduct principal component analysis on 7 quality indicators at different harvesting periods. 【Result】Compared with harvest periods Ⅱand Ⅲ, the fruit decay rate, titratable acid content, and fruit flesh hardness during storage period Ⅰwere lower than those during harvest periods Ⅱand Ⅲ. The fruit weight loss rate was also significantly lower than that during harvest period Ⅲ, but there was no significant difference compared to harvest period Ⅱ. The soluble solids content and solid acid ratio of the fruit were higher than those during harvest periods Ⅱand Ⅲ. The vitamin C content was maintained at around 4. 37 mg / 100 g during storage. Compared with har- vesting period Ⅲ, the decay rate, fruit hardness, and vitamin C content were all higher in harvesting pe- riod Ⅱafter 6 days of storage. The soluble solids and solid acid ratio were also higher than those during harvest period Ⅲ(except for day 6). The results of principal component analysis showed as follows: har- vesting period Ⅰ>harvesting period Ⅱ>harvesting period Ⅲ. The decay rate, weight loss rate, and solu- ble solids content of fruits stored at room temperature were significantly higher than those stored at low temperature. Low temperature storage could delay fruit decay and weight loss rates, and maintain high fruit flesh hardness, soluble solids, titratable acid content, and solid acid ratio. 【Conclusion】Based on the above results, it was believed that the storage quality of fruits during harvest period Ⅰwas superior to the other two harvest periods. Therefore, it is recommended to harvest Zhuxue peaches on the 89th day after flowering. Low temperature storage can extend the storage time of fruits by 10 ~ 15 days, which pro- vided a basis and reference for production guidance.

Zhuxue peach(Prunus persica Batsch cv. Zhuxue); harvest period; principal component analysis; storage temperature; fruit quality