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Owing to the high degree of perishability of the fruit, the peach industry faces serious challenges tackling physiological disorders, microbial/chemical decay, and the suboptimal quality of the fruit during and following cold storage. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of spray applications of calcium chloride (CaCl2) at various physiological stages of fruit growth and development, on ripening, flesh softening, chilling injury (CI) and nutritional quality of peach fruit cv "Flordaking" during low-temperature storage. The aqueous solutions of CaCl2 [0, 1, 2, and 3% (w/v)] were sprayed on peach trees during cell division, pit hardening and cell expansion stages in 2011 and 2012. At commercial harvest, the fruit were hand-picked and were subjected to cold storage at 1 ± 1°C (RH: 90 ± 5%) for 6 weeks. The data on CI index and other quality characteristics of the fruit were recorded at harvest and then weekly for up to 6 weeks. The results showed that the pre-harvest spray application of CaCl2 substantially reduced the incidence of chilling injury (CI) and delayed climacteric ripening seemingly by lowering the rates of ethylene production and fruit softening during storage as compared to control, regardless the doses of CaCl2 and its application time, however higher doses of calcium chloride proved to be toxic causing blemishes on the surface of "Flordaking" peaches. In conclusion, pre-harvest spray application of CaCl2 @ 1% may be a successful production management tool to maintain the quality and to extend storability of peach fruit during cold storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) has been in high demand since ever. High quality of fruit and increased yield are desired characters both for the researchers and the growers. The impact of foliar application of chitosan (CHT), Salicylic Acid (SA) and Putrescine (PUT) on fruit yield and physico-chemical characteristics of "Yolo Wonder" bell pepper cultivar was studied for two consecutive years (2012 and 2013). Results indicate application of chitosan (0.5), putrescine (3 mM) and SA (3 mM) increased fruit weight, fruit diameter, and yield as compared to control and other treatments. Fruit firmness was increased in PUT (2 mM, 3 mM) and SA (3 mM) as compared to control. Furthermore, fruit harvested from these treated plants did not affect days to fruit maturity and number of fruits per plant. Higher PUT (3 mM) and SA (3 mM) concentration proved significantly better in reducing disease incidence. Present research proves SA and PUT sprays more effective than CHT for improving fruit physical and chemical characteristics such as fruit size, fruit weight, yield, fruit firmness, and vitamin C content. Finally, the biostimulants used in this study can easily be used to improve yield and quality of bell pepper without compromising the food safety standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bell pepper is an important vegetable commodity; getting the intention of industry for fresh exports. However, short postharvest life is one of the major limitations. Comprehensive investigations were made for the possibility of extending storage life of bell pepper through UV-C (Shortwave ultraviolet radiations) and different edible coatings. The UV-C and different edible coatings had significant effects on the shelf life of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) cv. "Royal Wonder" stored at low temperature. UV-C irradiation (3 and 5 min at 254 nm) as well as edible coatings including; Aloe gel (1.5 and 2.5%), cinnamon oil (0.30 and 0.40%) and chitosan (1 and 1.5%) were applied on the fruit of bell pepper cv. "Royal Wonder". The treated fruit was kept in cold storage for 24 days at 8±1°C with 80-85% RH. The fruit samples were analyzed for physical and chemical attributes with an interval of three days. The results indicated that, all the treatments maintained fruit quality and storage life, but UV-C application for 5 min and 1.5% Aloe gel delayed the changes in firmness, titratable acidity (TA), levels of ascorbic acid, soluble solids content (SSC) and fruit color development during storage. Moreover, weight loss, electrolyte leakage and disease incidence was also lowered by these treatments. Postharvest fruit performance indicated that UV-C application for 5 min and 1.5% Aloe gel significantly maintained the quality of pepper as compared to control up to 24 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruit fly infestation adversely affects guava crop especially during summer and resulted in significant economic losses. Bagging techniques can protect fruits from pests and eliminates the use of pesticides, thus improves the quality of fruit. In the present study, different materials (newspaper bags, perforated polyethylene bags, muslin cloth bags and netted cloth bags) were used for on-tree bagging of guava fruit to improve fruit quality. The maturity of the fruit remained at par in bagged and unbagged fruits except newspaper bags where it was delayed significantly. Bagged fruit had shown less damage from fruit fly, other pests and diseases in comparison to controls where hardly any fruit was without pest attack. Polyethylene bags reduced the damage by fruit fly to maximum extent followed by newspaper and muslin cloth bags. Economic analysis indicated that all bagging techniques were cost effective. However, fruit covered with perforated polyethylene bags exhibited maximum BCR (benefit cost ratio) with better fruit quality. Moreover, newspaper bagged fruit exhibited the lowest weight loss (2.72%), maximum fruit firmness (84.1N) and highest pH (4.35) during storage. Un-bagged fruits had the highest value for weight loss (5.46%), while least value for fruit firmness (50.3 N). Highest values for reducing sugars (3.45%), non-reducing sugars (3.03%) and total sugars (7.34%) were observed in fruit covered with perforated polyethylene bags. Amongst various bagging treatments the perforated polyethylene was found to be the best regarding sensory evaluation. In case of harvest maturity, yellow ripe stage performed better in the organoleptic characteristics at the time of ripening but had the shortest storage life in comparison to green mature and green yellow stages, therefore suitable only for local market. © 2014 Friends Science Publishers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the ample increase in peach growing area, improvement in quality and average yield is still negligible. The influence of foliar application of calcium chloride (CaCl2), putrescine (PUT) and salicylic acid (SA) on fruit yield and physicochemical characteristics of 'Florida King' peach cultivar was evaluated for two consecutive years (2011 and 2012). Results indicated that, application of CaCl2 (1%), PUT (1, 2 and 3 mM) and SA (2 and 3 mM) increased fruit weight, fruit diameter, pulp: stone ratio and yield compared to control. In addition, fruit harvested from these growth elicitors treated trees did not show significant difference in total soluble solids and total sugar contents. All treatments resulted in higher fruit firmness, acidity and ascorbic acid contents than control. Higher calcium treatments proved toxic and significantly increased the calcium level in leaves and fruit. From present work it can be referred that spraying of CaCl2, PUT and SA, significantly affected yield, and physico-chemical characteristics of peach cv. 'Florida King'. These growth elicitors are considered safe chemicals and can be applied to enhance production and improve fruit quality of peach without compromising the food safety standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Increasing level of biotic and abiotic stress was assessed on Kinnow fruit quality features in different ecological zones. • Comparatively biotic and abiotic stress extent was increased in warm regions under changing climate scenario. • Inferior Kinnow mandarin fruit quality with more production of lower grades fruit were recorded at warm regions. • Better quality with higher level of polyphenols and antioxidant activity were recorded at relatively moderate conditions. • Fruit quality parameters were influenced by fluctuating agrometeorological indices in climate change scenario. The quality of Kinnow fruit was assessed in different ecological zones by selecting three main districts: Sargodha, Toba Tek Singh (TTS) and Vehari; all of them have varying environmental conditions. Abiotic and biotic stress on fruit quality was assessed. More growing degree days, photothermal index, photo and helio thermal units were computed in Vehari, while hydrothermal units and energy use efficiency were recorded in higher values at TTS. Fruit diameter was measured from April to December and recorded with increased width in TTS and Vehari during May and June. In May, more fruit drop was noted in TTS and Vehari compared to Sargodha due to heat stress. Pests such as citrus thrips, mites and fruit fly infected fruits were recorded in higher percentage at Vehari and TTS, while citrus red scale infestation was seen more in Sargodha. In Sargodha, a higher incidence of citrus scab and melanose was noted on Kinnow fruits, while more stem-end rot infected fruits were recorded at TTS and Vehari. In abiotic stress, more wind scares were noted at Sargodha, followed by TTS, whereas stem injury and styler-end deformity were found to be non-significant. Fruit physical parameters such as width, fresh weight and peel thickness were noted more in TTS and Vehari, while more surface smoothness and firmness were observed in Sargodha. Biochemical properties such as pH, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, sugars, ascorbic acid, total dissolved salts and electrical conductivity showed higher levels in Sargodha than TTS and Vehari. More antioxidant and total anthocyanins were found in Sargodha, while higher levels of total phenolic contents were estimated at TTS and total flavonoids in Vehari. Kinnow fruit of Sargodha received more sensory scores in organoleptic evaluation. Higher percentage of A-grade fruits was harvested from Sargodha and B-grade fruits from TTS and Vehari. More numbers of fruits and weight were obtained from TTS, followed by Sargodha. Extreme events such as heat stress and smog were seen more in Vehari and TTS and subsequently their fruit quality was found to be inferior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]