Abstract: The benefits of calcium applications pre and postharvest on fruit storage ability are well know. It was
objective of this work to study the effects of calcium preharvest application in two different forms and calcium
chloride application postharvest on ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit storage ability. The present paper reports of experimental
results, corresponding to the experimental period from 2005 to 2006.
Three application of 0.1% calcium chloride or calcium chelate were made by spraying on the tree at fruit set
(beginning of June), July and September. After harvest (beginning of November) half fruits were dipped for 2 min
in a solution of 3% CaCl2. The other fruit were untreated. All fruit were then stored at 0ºC and relative humidity of
about 90-95%. Only fruit of the size range 85-105g were analysed and discussed. Measurements of firmness,
soluble solids content (SSC) and ascorbic acid were done after 1, 4 and 6 months storage.
Kiwifruit sprayed with calcium and dipped in 3% CaCl2 softened slower and the degradation of ascorbic acid
content was lower. Ca-quelate performed better than calcium chloride as preharvest spraying, so it should be
considered instead of CaCl2 to avoid the negative effects of chloride, although our concentrations were very low.