Maria Luiza De Grandi, Journalist, Ciência Rural, Santa Maria, RS, Brasil.
Amauri Bogo, Researcher, University of Santa Catarina (UDESC). Lages, SC, Brasil.
Researchers from the Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC) and international partners have discovered that the use of plant growth regulators can be an important ally in improving the quality and extending the shelf life of apples. The study Cytokinins improve the quality of ‘Maxi Gala’ apples produced in southern Brazil, published in the journal Ciência Rural (vol. 55, no. 6, 2025), evaluated the effects of the cytokinins benzyladenine (6BA) and thidiazuron (TDZ) in commercial orchards of the “Maxi Gala” cultivar in the municipality of Vacaria (RS).
The application of these substances at strategic times during flowering and fruiting showed a direct impact on cell size, pulp firmness, and fruit yield. “6BA increased cell size and productivity, while TDZ promoted cell division and contributed to greater pulp firmness during storage,” explains the research group, which has years of experience in studies on physiology and fruit tree management.
Image: via pixabay
The experiments were conducted over two consecutive harvests, using different spraying protocols. After harvest, the fruits were evaluated for yield, size, firmness, sugar content, and coloration, including analyses during refrigerated storage. Combining this information added a distinctive aspect to the study. “Few studies have integrated detailed cellular analyses with practical results on productivity and quality. This broader view allows us to understand how cytokinins act from the cellular level to the supermarket shelf,” the authors emphasize.
In practice, the results provide direct guidance for technicians and growers. The doses and timing of cytokinin applications can be adjusted to obtain firmer fruits with longer shelf life and fewer losses during transport and storage. “It is a tool that helps producers become more competitive and reduces waste in the production chain,” the researchers reinforce.
The study also opens the way for new advances in the use of plant growth regulators, especially in regions of southern Brazil where apple production is a strategic sector. By linking field management with cellular effects and post-harvest quality, the research demonstrates how applied science can have a direct impact on both fruit farming and consumers.
To read the article, access
PEREIRA, M.F.G., et al. Cytokinins improve quality of ‘Maxi Gala’ apples produced in southern Brazil. Ciência Rural [online]. 2025, vol. 55, no. 6, e20240112 [viewed 9 October 2025]. https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-8478cr20240112. Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/cr/a/SWPtKmmsTDPgfdYtZGGCpZB/
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