Harvista revolutionizes apple ripening

On June 11, AgroFresh successfully held the I Technical Innovation Day for Pre-harvest at the IRTA Mas Badia facilities in La Tallada d’Empordà (Girona). The event, part of the AgroFresh Xperience series, brought together technicians, researchers, and growers interested in advanced strategies to improve fruit quality from the field stage.

During the event, innovative solutions for pome fruit, especially apples, were presented, with a particular focus on practices that influence postharvest performance. Attendees had the opportunity to explore tools that help anticipate and enhance fruit quality before harvest, which directly impacts performance during storage and commercialization.

The event also included the announcement of an exceptional authorization granted by the Ministry of Agriculture for the use of Harvista™ on apple and pear trees in Catalonia, valid from July 1 to October 27, 2025. This will allow application during a critical period to ensure fruit quality and behavior during storage.

Harvista™ is a technology based on 1-MCP (1-Methylcyclopropene), developed to delay fruit ripening under pre-harvest conditions. It works by competing for ethylene receptors, occupying their place and blocking the hormone’s physiological action, which allows control over the ripening process and optimization of harvest timing.

Delaying ripening to gain quality and control

For over 15 years, IRTA Mas Badia has been intensively evaluating Harvista™, a product by AgroFresh that allows the modulation of apple ripening to optimize harvest and postharvest quality. Carlota González, post-doctoral researcher in fruit quality at IRTA, shared detailed results from trials conducted with various cultivars and different application timings.

Carlota González during her presentation "Pre-harvest application of 1-MCP (Harvista). Results and practical experience"

One of the most remarkable benefits of Harvista™ is its ability to delay ripening by 7 to 10 days, giving growers more flexibility to adapt harvest schedules to changing logistical or climatic conditions. This delay translates into a notable firmness increase, which can exceed 1 kg/cm² compared to untreated controls, and is maintained even after several months in storage.

González stated:

"The effect is especially noticeable in the Golden variety, where the application of Harvista™ has enabled higher firmness retention both in the field and after long-term storage."

In Pink Lady, reduced cracking and improved fruit size were observed. Additionally, in this variety, the percentage of fruits with greasy appearance decreased.

In the case of internal browning in 'Gala Schniga' apples, Harvista™ application reduced this disorder from 43% to just 5% after five months under controlled atmosphere storage.

González also provided the following application guidelines for Harvista™:

• Always apply the same dose (11.54 kg/ha)
• Application timing is key to maximize results
• For Gala and Golden, apply when the starch index is 2–3 to boost firmness and extend harvest
• Effects are observed from 14 days before harvest up to after the first pick
• Color development improves under favorable weather conditions after application
• In Pink Lady, treating after the first pick at a starch index of 7 maximizes firmness and reduces greasy appearance

Marta Sala, Postharvest Technical Service Specialist at IRTA Girona, shared data showing that Harvista™ also helps reduce premature fruit drop, with decreases of 60–70% in sensitive varieties like Golden and Red Delicious.

Sala added:

"Regarding coloration, although a slight delay is seen in the first days after application, in later stages treated fruit reaches higher color levels than the controls."

Marta Sala presenting her findings at IRTA Mas Badia

This is because, by delaying ripening, the fruit enters the coloring phase during cooler temperatures, especially in the second half of August, which enhances color intensity in varieties such as Gala.

Harvista™, an effective complement to other postharvest tools

Raquel Ledesma, Account Manager at AgroFresh, presented the results of advanced trials with Harvista™ in orchards across France, Poland, Italy, and Portugal. These trials highlighted significant benefits:

• Reduced fruit drop
• Lower percentage of fruits with cracking
• Very low percentage of overripe fruit
• In combination with SmartFresh, reduction in fruits affected by Neofabraea alba

Raquel Ledesma presented AgroFresh’s results with Harvista™ applications

Harvista™ does not replace other tools like postharvest 1-MCP treatments (SmartFresh), but rather complements them effectively, especially in varieties prone to firmness loss. Combining Harvista™ before harvest with SmartFresh in cold storage enhances final product quality, extends shelf life, and reduces disorders like superficial scald.

Ledesma concluded:

"Our motto 'Harvista and SmartFresh, Better together' is fully proven."

Technical application: precision and equipment calibration

Hugo Rodríguez, Commercial Manager at AgroFresh, explained the technical requirements for proper field application of Harvista™.

Rodríguez emphasized:

"The success of the treatment largely depends on well-calibrated application equipment and strict adherence to usage conditions."

The minimum recommended water volume is 400 L/ha, with special attention to flow rate, pressure, and tractor speed. AgroFresh presented its dedicated application system, which includes tank, dosing pump, valve, and return system. This ensures the product reaches the tree efficiently, minimizing spray drift.

Hugo Rodríguez explaining the technical features for Harvista™ application and calibration

Technical aspects such as product viscosity and the importance of preparing only the necessary mix per treatment were also discussed. The use of dyes and flow tests was recommended to fine-tune dosage and avoid significant deviations.

Rodríguez highlighted the importance of application timing. For Gala and Golden, applying at a starch index of 2–3 achieves the best balance between firmness, ripening, and color. For later-harvested varieties like Pink Lady, applying after the first pick can improve the postharvest performance of the remaining fruit.

Finally, Rodríguez noted that AgroFresh provides tailored application recommendation charts by variety, adapted to the specific conditions of each region and orchard. These have been developed in collaboration with growers and are regularly updated based on field data.

That’s why your experience in the orchard is key. AgroFresh relies on you to keep improving these recommendations and achieve the best results.

More information