Impact of pre-harvest calcium compounds on aonla (Emblica officinalis) shelf life

This study investigated the effectiveness of pre-harvest calcium sprays, using calcium nitrate and calcium chloride, on extending the post-harvest shelf life and maintaining the quality of aonla (Indian gooseberry) fruits. The experiment was conducted at the Regional Research Station of CCS Haryana Agricultural University in Rewari, Haryana, from 2020 to 2023. Calcium compounds were applied at 1.0 and 1.5 per cent concentrations to fifteen-year-old NA-7 aonla plants at 10 and 20 days before harvest. After harvesting, healthy, uniformly sized fruits were stored at ambient temperature and changes in physiological loss in weight (PLW), decay loss, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity and ascorbic acid content were monitored every other day. The results indicated that pre-harvest calcium applications significantly reduced PLW and decay loss. Specifically, calcium nitrate at 1.5 per cent applied 20 days before harvest proved to be the most effective treatment, minimizing PLW and decay loss over the 10-day storage period compared to the control. This treatment also consistently maintained higher titratable acidity and ascorbic acid content, suggesting a slower rate of fruit aging and nutrient degradation. While some previous studies reported an increase in TSS with calcium treatments, present findings showed no significant effect of calcium applications on the TSS of aonla fruits during storage. Overall, the study highlights the significant role of pre-harvest calcium nitrate sprays in enhancing the post-harvest quality and extending the shelf life of aonla fruits, primarily by reducing moisture loss and decay and better preserving nutritional attributes like ascorbic acid.