Effect of Pre-harvest Treatments on the Cellulase Activity and Quality of Ber Fruit Under Cold Storage Conditions

Studies were carried out to find out the effect of various pre-harvest treatments such as CaCl2 (0.5%, 1.0 % and 2.0%), Ca(NO3)2 (0.5%, 1.0 % and 2.0%), GA3 (20, 40 and 60 ppm) and Bavistin (0.1%) on the cellulase activity and quality of ‘Umran ’ ber fruits during cold storage. Marked trees were sprayed at colour break stage with the test chemicals. Fruits were packed in CFB boxes and placed in cold storage (3-5 oC and 85-90 % RH) for 30 days. The fruits were evaluated after 10, 20 and 30 days interval for various parameters such as cellulase activity, phenolics content, palatability rating and rotting percentage. Cellulase activity registered a gradual increase upto 20 days of storage thereafter a decline was noted in all the treatments. The palatability rating increased up to 10 days of storage in all the treatments, except control but subsequently it decreased with an advancement in storage period. Among the various pre-harvest treatments CaCl2 (2%) recorded minimum cellulase activity and rotting percentage and have also registered high palatability rating and phenolics content during cold storage conditions. Studies showed that pre-harvest application of CaCl2 (2%) maintained very good fruit quality and prolonged shelf-life for 20 days under cold storage conditions