Effect of Gamma Radiation on the Ripening of Bartlett Pears

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Abstract
Gamma radiation at doses of 300 Krad or more inhibited ripening of Bartlett pears (Pyrus com-munis). Immediately after irradiation there was a transitory burst of C2H4, which subsequently declined in fruits subjected to inhibitory doses. Ethylene production associated with ripening began at the same time in unirradiated fruits and those subjected to noninhibitory doses, but the latter produced much more C2H4 at the climacteric peak. Fruits subjected to inhibitory doses produced low levels of C2H4 unless subjected to exogenously applied C2H4, whereupon they produced enough of the gas to induce ripening in unirradiated fruits. Pears subjected to 300 and 400 Krad of gamma rays did not ripen even when held in a flowing atmosphere containing 1000 ppm of C2H4 for 8 days at 20[degree]. It is concluded that the action of gamma rays on Bartlett pears involves both an inhibition of C2H4 production and a decreased sensitivity of the fruit to the ripening action of the gas. Ripening of Bartlett pears is inhibited by gamma radiation only when applied to preclimacteric fruit.