Effect of Pre-Harvest Gibberellic Acid and Calcium Application on Post-Harvest Behaviour of Subtropical Peaches

Shashi K. Sharma¹, Preet Pratima²

¹Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri, Hamirpur (HP) India – 177001

²Department of Fruit Science College of Horticulture, Dr Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP) India -173230

Corresponding author Email: shashi_uhf@yahoo.com

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CARJ.6.1.10

Abstract:

Shorter shelf life and faster deterioration of fruits after harvest are the major constraints with the peach production in the subtropical regions. Pre-harvest application of GA₃ and chloride & nitrate of calcium were tried in a RBD experiment for enhancing peach fruit quality and reducing fruit deterioration during shelf life studies of five subtropical peach cultivars. At harvest fruit quality parameters viz. TSS, acidity, firmness etc. were influenced greatly by the treatments. Other physical properties of the fruit such as fruit weight, size and yield were not influenced much. Physiological weight loss during storage and the deterioration of other fruit characteristics were considerably lowered by calcium treatments. Foliar application of Calcium nitrate (1%) was found to be superior over calcium chloride (2%) for improving fruit quality and shelf life.

Keywords:

Calcium; Gibberellins; Pre-harvest management; Post harvest life; Peach varieties; Plant hormones; Shelf life

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