Effect of Asafoetida Extract Solution on Red Apple Quality with a Focus on the Mechanical Properties of Peduncle, Rate Fruit Drop and Orchard Pest Control

This study evaluated the effect of asafoetida extract solution on the physical and mechanical properties of red apples, focusing on the apple peduncle in Dargaz County, Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran. Using a solution prepared from 50 kg of asafoetida and 250 l of water, we conducted compression, penetration, and tensile tests. The results revealed that the asafoetida treatment improved mechanical properties compared to other treatments. Specifically, it achieved the highest force in compression tests for cylindrical samples and the highest force and deformation in penetration tests with both spherical and cylindrical probes. The asafoetida treatment also resulted in the lowest fruit drop rate (4.28%) and significantly reduced apple pests, outperforming chemical pesticides in effectiveness. These findings suggest that asafoetida extract is a promising alternative to chemical pesticides for enhancing apple quality and reducing pest infestations.