Objective The effects of different concentrations of exogenous melatonin sustained-release stickers combined with low temperature storage on postharvest preservation of Nectarine were investigated.

Methods The 8-line Nectarine of 143 Regiment of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps was used as the test material, and 1, 2 and 3 g melatonin slow-release stickers were used for storage at low temperature, respectively. The treatment without melatonin slow-release stickers was used as the CK group, which was stored at 0.5 ℃ and relative humidity of 90%. The physiological indexes of the fruit were measured every 7 days, and the quality changes of the Nectarine during storage were analyzed.

Results Compared with CK group, melatonin combined with low temperature treatment maintained the storage quality of Nectarine to a certain extent, and delayed the respiration peak of Nectarine by 7 days. On the 35th day of storage, the decay rate of the fruit in the MT₂ (2 g melatonin slow-release stickers) treatment group was only 32% of that in the CK (no melatonin slow-release stickers) group, and the soluble solids content (soluble solids content). The contents of SSC, TA Vc were 2.2, 2.1 and 1.2 times higher than those of CK group, respectively. The melatonin treatment group maintained the hardness of the fruit, reduced the rot rate and weight loss rate of the fruit, delayed the decrease of SSC, TA and Vc content, and the cell oxidative damage and senescence rate of the peach during storage, and maintained the storage quality of the Nectarine to the greatest extent.

Conclusion Melatonin combined with low-temperature treatment has certain guiding significance to delay the aging process of Nectarine during storage and maintain good appearance and storage quality.