Oxalic acid preharvest treatment increases antioxidant systems and improves plum quality at harvest and during postharvest storage.

OA preharvest treatment could be a useful tool to maintain plum quality properties during long-term storage, by delaying the postharvest ripening process through a delay in ethylene production, with an additional effect on increasing bioactive compounds with health beneficial effects. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.