Department of Horticulture, University of Kalyani, Nadia, W. Bengal
In a study to observe the effect of some growth regulators on rate of ripening and chemical composition of guava, fruits, after picking, were treated with two kinds of growth regulators, viz., (i) those which stimulate growth such as 2, 4-D, 2, 4, 5-T and GA; and (ii) those which inhibit growth such as MH, B-9 and coumarine.
Mature guava fruits when dipped in 2, 4-D (100 and 200 ppm) and 2, 4, 5-T (100 and 200 ppm) after harvest develop yellow colour earlier than untreated fruits. Mature guava fruits when dipped in MH (500 and 1000 ppm) and GA (100 and 200 ppm) after harvest slowed development of yellow colour as compared to control. Percentage loss in weight of fruits during ripening was greater than control in fruits treated with 2, 4-D and less than control in those treated with MH. Contents of reducing sugars, total acidity and vitamin C did not vary significantly in fruits treated with 2, 4-D, MH, B-9, coumarine or in control.
