Effect of pre-harvest calcium chloride spray on maturity and postharvest quality of Starkspur Golden Delicious apple

The study was conducted to establish harvest maturity to enhance postharvest quality and shelf-life of fruits by pre-harvest spray of calcium chloride after 60 days from full bloom (DFFB) in plants of Starkspur Golden Delicious apple. Harvesting of fruits was conducted in three stages, at 5 days intervals from experimental plants. The fruits were evaluated for quality attributes during different storage intervals. It was observed that fruits with calcium chloride (0.75 and 1%) were smaller in size but exhibited more firmness at harvest maturity. Physiological loss in weight (PLW) and soluble solids concentration (SSC) of fruits increased and firmness decreased continuously at different storage intervals. Less PLW and high firmness was observed in calcium chloride (1%) than (0.25%) sprayed fruits during shelf-life studies of 42 days. SSC increased with increase in storage interval and remained at an acceptable level up to 42 days in calcium sprayed fruits. Fruits sprayed with 1% calcium chloride had significantly high firmness and low PLW during this study. Therefore CaCl2 (1%) spray at 60 DFFB is recommended for enhancing shelf life of apple fruits.