Applied Biological Research

The effect of pre-harvest CaCl₂ sprays and harvest dates on physicochemical characteristics of pear cv. ‘Bartlett’ was assessed. Fruits treated with 0.50 and 0.75% CaCl₂ showed increase in size, weight, volume, organoleptic rating and firmness; however colour development was delayed non-significantly. Similarly, acidity, TSS, reducing and total sugars decreased in 0.50 and 0.75% CaCl₂ treated fruits but starch and peel and flesh Ca increased. Delay in harvest caused increase in fruit size, weight, volume, colour and organoleptic rating. Also, TSS, reducing and total sugars and peel and flesh Ca contents increased with delay in harvest but acidity and starch content decreased. The interaction effect of harvest dates and CaCl₂ sprays on physical characters was non-significant, except fruit volume; but significant difference were seen in chemical characters viz. sugar and Ca content. Harvesting fruits 110 or 115 DAFB and pre-harvest 0.50 or 0.75% CaCl₂ sprays retained all the physicochemical characteristics in pear.