RELATIONSHIP OF POLYAMINE CONTENT TO ACC CONTENT AND ETHYLENE EVOLUTION IN JAPANESE APRICOT FRUIT

The polyamine and ACC contents in mesocarp of Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.) were determined during fruit development Polyami ne and ACC levels peaked in the early fruit development stage, followe d by 'June drop'. Then, polyamine and ACC levels decreased rapidly and changed little until fruit was harvested. The content of spermidine ( Spd) in the. mesocarp sharply declined during the post-harvest period, but the levels of spermine (Spn) and putrescine (Put), did not change . ACC and ethylene levels peaked 3 similar to 4 days after harvest. Ex ogenous polyamines, applied to fruit 20 days before normal harvest, de layed fruit drop and ethylene evolution after harvest as compared to t he control.