Studies on Maturity Standard, Ripending Behaviour and Post-Harvest Life of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) Fruits

Abstract

The present 1nvesllgabon was under taken to study the different aspects vtz matunty standard. effect of direction on matunty, response of pre-harvest baggtng and finally effect of packaging materials and storage conditions on post harvest life of guava frUits. Th1s study was conducted at Horticultural Research Centre and post harvest laboratory department of horticulture SVPUA&T Meerut (UP) lndta, during 2007-08 and 2008-09. The study was replicated lhnce with two factors Randomized Block Design. The matunty of guava cv Sardar reached after 125 days after frUtt setting dunng winter season and 115 days in rainy season dunng both the year of studies Matunty standard indicated that fru1t attatned max1mum size w1th spec1fic gravit, (1 .016 and 1 23) during winter and (1 003 and 1.013) 1n rainy season and highest TSS, TSS/ acid ratio, ascorbic actd, total sugar, reductng sugar and lowest actdity content which coinctded with colour break stage (full mature stage) dunng both the season and both the years of study, In continuatton the matunty was affected by positton of fru1ts of different directions Thus, earltness in maturity was observed 1n the fruit harvested form East direction followed by South, North and delayed from West direction Pre-harvest bagging also induced early matunty and ripening and tmproved the qualtty of guava fru1ts dunng wtnter season The control temperature was found very effective to improve the shetf life of guava frUitS as compared to room lempernture The ramy season fruits were stored upto 12 days 1n storage at room temperature and upto 24 days at control temperature Whereas, the wrnler season frurts were stored upto 20 days at room temperature and upto 32 days at control temperature with polythene packaging during both the years of study Thus, the polythene and tissue paper packagrng at control temperature was found very effective to save the quality and rmprove the shetf life of guava fru1ts dunng storage