The present investigation was conducted to evaluate the effect of pre-harvest sprays of ascorbic acid, calcium chloride and ethephon on hastening maturity and fruit quality of Flame Seedless grapes. The pre-harvest sprays of ascorbic acid (750, 1000 and 1250 ppm) and calcium chloride (0.25, 0.50 and 1.0%) were given at fruit-set and veraison stage. Ethephon @ 400ppm was sprayed at veraison stage on vines with 75 per cent crop load. The treatment combination of flower bud thinning + gibberellic acid (GA3) 40 ppm was also included for comparison along with water sprays as control. Each treatment was replicated thrice, in which one vine served as a unit treatment. The time of ripening was advanced by 5 d in the treatment 75 per cent crop load + ethephon 400ppm as compared to control, while in the treatment flower bud thinning + GA3 ripening was advance by 3 d. The same treatment i.e. flower bud thinning + GA3 resulted in significantly higher yield (33.54 kg/vine), maximum bunch weight, bunch length and bunch breadth. However, the fruit quality with respect to higher total soluble solids (TSS), lower acidity, higher sugars and anthocyanin content was better in 75 per cent crop load + Ethephon 400 ppm. Also the yield in treatment was at par with flower bud thinning + GA3. Thus, considering yield as well as quality parameters, the treatment 75 per cent crop load+ 400ppm Ethephon was found to be the best.
Ascorbic acid, Calcium chloride, Ethephon, Flame Seedless, Gibberellic acid
