Melatonin treatment reduces ethylene production and maintains fruit quality in apple during postharvest storage

Abstract The effects of treatment with melatonin on ripening of ‘Fuji’ apples during storage at 1 °C for 56 d were investigated. The apples were harvested at the commercial ripening stage and treated with 1 mmol L−1 melatonin. Compared with the control, melatonin treated apples had significant reduced ethylene production (28 d–56 d) and weight loss (14 d–56 d) during storage (p