Effect of different pre-harvest treatments on quality of ber fruit during cold storage

Effect of pre-harvest treatments like CaCl2 (0.5, 1.0, 2.0%), Ca(NO3), (0.5, 1.0, 2.0%), gibberellic acid (GA(3)) (20, 40, 60 ppm) and bavistin (0.1%) on the storage behaviour and quality of 'Umran' variety ber (Zizyphus mauritiana Lamk) fruits during cold storage was studied. Ber plants of same age and size were sprayed with the test chemicals at colour break stage. Harvested fruits from treated plants were packed in corrugated fiber board boxes and cold stored (3-5 degrees C, 85-90% RH) and evaluated after 10, 20 and 30 days for physiological loss in weight, firmness, pectin methyl esterase (PME) activity and sensory rating. The physiological loss in weight increased and fruit firmness decreased during storage. The sensory rating increased up to 10 days in all the treatments, except control but subsequently it decreased during storage. The rate of increase in PME activity was faster up to 10 days in untreated fruits while treated fruits showed slower rise in PME activity up to 20 days and declined afterwards. Fruits can be stored up to 20 days by pre-harvest spray of CaCl2 (2%) and GA 3 (60 ppm) treatment, with minimum loss in quality.