Effect of post harvest application of chemicals on physiological parameters of different ber (Zizyphus mauritiana lamk.) varieties during storage

An investigation entitled effect of post harvest application of chemicals on the shelf life of ber (Zizyphus mauritiana Lamk.) fruits was conducted during the Rabi season of the year2015–16 at P. G. Laboratory, department of Horticulture, BAcA, AAU, Anand, Gujarat. the experiment was laid out in crd with Factorial concept having sixteen treatment combinations, comprising of two variety of ber fruit, viz., Gola and Umran and different chemical concentration of ascorbic acid (100 and 150 mg/l), cycocel (500, 750 and 1000 mg/l) and KMno₄ (0.05 and 0.1%) along with control. the treatments were repeated thrice. Periodic observations at initial, 3^rd, 6^th and 9^th day of storage periods were taken. the results obtained from present investigation indicated that Gola ber was recorded the significantly highest initial fruit weight (g), shelf life (days) at 6^th and 9^th day while, minimum physiological loss in weight (%) at 3^rd, 6^th and 9^th day. However, Umran ber was recorded the significantly highest marketable fruit (%) at 3^rd day whereas, significantly minimum spoilage (%) at 3^rd day under ambient condition during storage. Among the different post harvest application of chemicals cycocel @ 1000 mg/l treatment recorded significantly highest in physical parameters like initial fruit weight (g), marketable fruit (%) at 3^rd, 6^th and 9^th day, shelf life (days) and significantly minimum physiological loss in weight (%), spoilage (%) at 3^rd, 6^th and 9^th day under ambient condition during storage.