The Influence of (2-Chloroethyl)phosphonic Acid on Peach Quality and Maturation1

Abstract Ethephon ((2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid) at 50 to 200 ppm hastened the maturation of peach fruit of the cvs. ‘Cardinal’, ‘Ranger’, ‘Redhaven’, ‘Blake’, and ‘Richhaven’ over a range of application times. Stimulation of maturation was not attributed solely to reduced fruit load, since an influence on maturation was found even when ethephon-treated trees bore no fewer fruits than hand-thinned controls. When treated and nontreated ‘Richhaven’ fruit were harvested at a comparable maturity based on firmness, ground and flesh color a and a/b values were increased by ethephon, as were soluble solids. No differences were found in b values for ground or flesh color or in total titratable acidity. Fruit treated with ethephon exhibited more uniformity in firmness and color than untreated fruit at shipping maturity, a characteristic which has potential value in facilitating once-over mechanical harvesting operations.