Vol. 11, Issue 1 (2022)

Author(s):
LP Bhusan, DK Dash and AK Das

Abstract:
The present study was undertaken at Horticulture Research Station, Department of Fruit Science and Horticulture Technology, College of Agriculture, OUAT, BBSR during 2015-16 and 2016-17 to envisage “Pre harvest application of GA₃ and CaCl₂ on physiological loss in weight (PLW) % and storage life of banana cv. Grand Naine”. In this experiment fruits were subjected to ten treatments with different concentration of GA₃, CaCl₂, their combination, control (with water) and replicated thrice, after male bud removal chemicals were applied to the bunch by spraying. In this experiment maximum physiological loss in weight 13.73% (2015-16), 14.16% (2016-17) was recorded in control on 12^th day of storage, where as on 12^th day in GA₃ @150 ppm it was 7.25% (2015-16), 6.19% (2016-17) and attains its maximum value on 18^th day. Fruits treated with GA₃ @150 ppm had dramatically more delayed physiological weight loss, pulp peel ratio followed by CaCl₂@4% compare to control. Maximum shelf life up to 20 days (2015-16), 19 days (2016-17) was recorded in fruits under GA₃ @150 ppm treatment followed by CaCl₂@4%, 18 days (2015-16), 19 days (2016-17) compare to minimum 13 days (2015-16), 12 days (2016-17) in control. Thus pre harvest application of GA₃@ 150 ppm was an efficient method of delaying banana fruit ripening with better quality and it allows growers to schedule banana fruit ripening.