Effect of preharvest application of calcium chloride (CaCl2), Gibberlic acid (GA3) and Napthelenic acetic acid (NAA) on storage of Plum (Prunus salicina L.) cv. Santa Rosa under ambient storage conditions

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out in the experimental field of Division of Fruit Science, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar during the year 2010 to 2011 with a view to study the various physical changes that occur during storage and to prolong the shelf life of plum under ambient storage conditions by preharvest application of various chemicals. Fruit size, weight and firmness recorded continuous decrease with the advancement of storage period. However, 0.5% calcium chloride (CaCl2) proved to be more efficacious in minimizing these losses. Maximum increase in fruit size and weight at the time of harvest was recorded with the preharvest application of 60 ppm NAA. Physiological loss in weight (PLW) and spoilage followed continuously increasing trend with the advancement of storage period. Among the various preharvest treatments, 0.5% CaCl2 applied 20 and 10 days before the expected date of harvest proved to be the most effective treatment in retaining the fruit quality during the entire storage period. Such fruits exhibited minimum loss in weight, maximum retention in firmness and minimum spoilage on each sampling date. In general, overall acceptability of fruits decreased with the passage of storage time. However, fruits treated with CaCl2 were rated as most acceptable and it was followed by Gibberlic acid (GA3) treatment at the end of storage period under ambient conditions. Key words: Plum, quality, preharvest, calcium chloride (CaCl2), Gibberlic acid (GA3), napthelenic acetic acid (NAA), storage.