1
The effect of four senescence retardants such as Menadione (1000, 2000 ppm), Hydro-quinone (500, 1000 pptn), AVG (100, 200 ppm) and Ascorbic Acid (2, 4%) were studied in comparison with an untreated fruit (control) at ambient temperature (26–30°C). In untreated fruit, the rate of ripening was found to be rapid in terms of significantly higher percentages of ripe fruit at different sampling dates compared to the treated fruit. In fruits treated with Menadione and AVG, ripening rate was found to be slow in terms of lower percentages of ripe fruit and greater fruit firmness and ripening was delayed by 3 days compared to untreated fruit. These treated fruit also recorded a lower rate of catalase activity, respiration and lesser ethylene production confirming the retarded fruit ripening, Hydroquinone and Ascorbic acid applications were found less effective.
