Hexanal as a mobiliser to channel nutrients into fruits and mitigating bitterpit in apple

Lead Applicant: Jayasankar Subramanian

Research Priority: Competitive Production Systems

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2024/2025

Research Centre: NA

Research Summary: Previously we have shown that hexanal can improve fruit retention as well post harvest shelf life in many fruits including apples. In addition, we also suggested that hexanal can reduce bitterpit incidence in Honey Crisp apples, although the mechanism of its action is quite unclear, and its consistency needs to be confirmed. Here we propose that hexanal can be an effective mobilizer of nutrients from leaves to fruits, through which it can reduce bitterpit. Further, we also propose that hexanal can work in other important apple varieties like Cortland etc., to reduce bitterpit incidence. Research in this proposal will help us promote hexanal as a potential remedy to mitigate bitterpit in apples for Ontario, Canada and worldwide.