Abstract: In this experiment, ‘Pioneer’ cherry fruit at veraison were sprayed with 20 g/L CaCl2, harvested at different tree-hanging times (harvest maturities) and then stored at (0 ± 1) ℃ and (90 ± 5)% relative humidity. Fruit quality changes were measured after the 50-day storage period. Our aim was to understand the effects of different harvest maturities and calcium treatment on the quality of cherry fruit. The results showed that fruit mass loss and decay rate as well as the decrease in soluble solid content (SSC) and the increase in polyphenol oxidase (PPO) were lowest in 80% maturity fruit among all groups with and without calcium treatment, and this group exhibited the highest ascorbic acid content and L* value and higher total phenolic content. For each maturity, compared with the control, calcium treatment was beneficial to reduce fruit mass loss and decay rate, inhibit the decrease in SSC, fruit hardness and ascorbic acid content and the increase in PPO activity, and elevate peroxidase (POD) activity and the contents of total phenols and the mineral elements Mg, K, Na and Fe. Harvest at 80% maturity and calcium treatment at veraison were beneficial for quality preservation of cherry fruit during storage. This study provides a basis for preserving the postharvest freshness and quality of sweet cherry fruit after harvest.

Key words: tree hanging, ‘Pioneer’ cherry, calcium, storage quality