The effects of pre-harvest prohydrojasmon application on yield and fruit quality of 'starking delicious' apples in different locations

'Starking Delicious' apple variety is cultivated extensively in Turkey and specifically at the IspartaEgirdir and Denizli-civril regions. Sometimes, fruit peel color is not attractive in this cultivar leading to low market value. Hence, the primary aim of this research was to improve the fruit peel color of 'Starking Delicious' apples. For this purpose, different dosages (0, 100, 150 and 200 ppm) of Prohydrojasmon were applied to 21 days before anticipated harvest sprays and following that after 7 days sprays for apples in two locations (Egirdir-civril). In this study, yield (kg/tree), pre-harvest drop (%) and some fruit quality parameters [fruit width (mm), fruit length (mm), fruit weight (g), fruit flesh firmness (N), solible solids content (SSC, %), titratable acidity (TA, %), fruit peel color (L*, a*, b*, C*, h degrees) were assessed for per treatments. Prohydrojasmon applications, especially in the fruit of the fruit color expressing redness a* value was determined to be increase. In this application which is especially examined fruit peel color formation, a* value and C* values (determine of concentration of a values) are found the most in 150 and 200 ppm Prohydrojasmon application. It is believed that without any negative effect both in fruit yield, pre-harvest drop and fruit size, fruit flesh firmness, using 150 or 200 ppm of Prohydrojasmon which has positive effect on fruit peel color can be proper in Egirdir and civril locations.