Efficacy of Prohexadione calcium and Paclobutrazol on Storage Life of Clapp’s Favorite Pear

Abstract

Present investigation was carried out to study the efficacy of growth retardants viz., prohexadione calcium and paclobutrazol on storage life of pear cv. ‘Clapp’s Favourite’ during the year 2015-2016. The experiment was laid out with thirteen treatments replicated thrice on 12-year-old-pear tree with uniform vigor and health under uniform cultural practices. The treatment comprises of single and double spray of growth retardants, i.e., prohexadione calcium (100 ppm, 200 ppm and 300 ppm) and paclobutrazol (100 ppm, 200 ppm and 300 ppm). The orchard soil was moderately deep with good fertility status. Data was recorded on storage life of the pear at (7, 14, 21 and 28) day’s interval and results revealed that both the growth retardants prohexadione calcium and paclobutrazol had showed a significant influence on total sugars, TSS, acidity and physiological loss in weight. After 28 days of storage minimum physiological loss in weight (14.17 %) and acidity (0.20 %) was recorded with the application of prohexadione calcium @ 200 ppm sprayed twice closely followed by prohexadione calcium @ 200 ppm sprayed twice. Application of prohexadione calcium @ 200 ppm and paclobutrazol @ 200 ppm had also showed a significant influence on TSS (15.31 % and 15.17 %, respectively) and total sugars (13.48 % and 13.40 %). Minimum values for all the characters were observed in control. Results revealed that application of prohexadione calcium @ 200 ppm and 300 ppm sprayed twice will enhance the shelf life of Clapp’s Favourite pear.