Influence of Detachment from the Tree on the Respiration of Apples1,2

Fruit detachment and small branch removal before fruit harvest stimulated the rise in the climacteric. Defoliation and removal of the phloem from the fruit pedicels stimulated the rise in only about one-half of the experiments. IAA sprays gave erratic results, with an increase in the time of the respiratory rise in about half of the cases. Sprays of GA had no effect. Fruit dipping after harvest in IAA, GA, ABA, and trachael sap had no effect on subsequent respiration.