ABSTRACT

This research aimed to identify the possible effects of the moment of Aminoethoxylvinylglycine (AVG) application during near harvest period on ethylene biosynthesis and find out the most appropriate possible way to control the process for maximum prolonging the postharvest shelf - life bananas. Result indecated that the most appropriate moment of AVG application is from the 74^th to 78^th days after formation of the last hand of a bunch has been finished as AVG showed some inhibition effects on ACC, ACC oxydase and ethylene synthesis. ACC, ACC oxydase and ethylene production of the fruits sprays with AVG of 0.8 g/l on the 78^th day, harvested and stored at 13 ± 1^oC for four weeks were 1.09 (nmol C₂H₄.g^-1), 0.44 (nmol C₂H₄.g^-1.h^-1) and 0.11 (µl nmol C₂H₄.kg^-1.h^-1) respectively while the ACC, ACC oxydase and ethylene production of non - treated fruits stored in the same conditions were 6.89 (nmol C₂H₄.g^-1), 2.18 (nmol C₂H₄.g^-1.h^-1) and 1.48 (µl nmol C₂H₄.kg^-1.h^-1) respectively.

Keywords: AVG, ACC, ACC oxydase, ethylene biosynthesis.