Effect of different concentration of ethephon on banana (cv. Malbhog) ripening and post- harvest life at laboratory condition

Abstract

A research study entitled effect of different concentration of ethephon on banana (cv. Malbhog) ripening and post-harvest life at laboratory condition was conducted to find out the best concentration of ethephon on banana ripening and quality parameters after harvest under ordinary room conditions. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design which comprised of five treatments; control, ethephon @ 250 ppm, Ethephon @ 500 ppm, ethephon @ 750 ppm and ethephon @ 1000 ppm replicated four times. Different post-harvest parameters were recorded on alternate days for 10 days. From the experiment, the use of ethephon @ 1000 ppm and Ethephon @ 750 ppm was found more effective regarding banana ripening and other parameters. On the final day of storage, the highest (2.937) pulp to peel ratio was recovered with ethephon @ 1000 ppm. The maximum TSS/TA ratio (31.51) was recorded in bananas treated with ethephon @ 750 ppm. The highest vitamin C content (6.285 mg/100g) was observed with ethephon@1000 ppm. The respondent gave a higher score for fruits kept as control than ethephon treated banana. Overall acceptability regarding sweetness, flavor was superior in control banana than the ethephon treated banana. The minimum spoilage loss was recorded with ethephon @ 1000 ppm (25.0%) and ethephon @500 ppm (25.0 %). From the experiment the concentration of ethephon 1000 ppm and 750 ppm was found to be effective for banana ripening.