Indian Journal of Horticulture
Year : 2006, Volume : 63, Issue : 1
First page : ( 11) Last page : ( 14)
Print ISSN : 0972-8538.

Response of storage behaviour of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) to fruit pedicel

Prakash Satya*, Nautiyal M.C.

College of Forestry and Hill Agriculture, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology Hill Campus, Ranichauri 249 199, Tehri Garhwal, Uttaranchal

*Corresponding author's present address: Department of Horticulture, Sardar Vallabh, Bhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut 250 110. E-mail: sp_svbp@yahoo.com

Received:  October,  2003; Revised:  October,  2005; Accepted:  December,  2005.

Abstract

Fully matured (firm ripe) healthy fruits of ‘New Castle’ apricot with uniform size and specific gravity were harvested with and without pedicel by secateur to find out suitable method of harvesting and to assess the postharvest behaviour of fruit after 4, 6 and 8 days of storage. The reduction in percent fruit marketability and ripening index was faster in non-pedicellate fruit and was slower in pedicellate fruit. The decay loss was minimum in fruit harvested with pedicel. The percent physiological loss in fruit weight was higher in non-pedicellate fruit than pedicellate fruit during storage. The level of acidity was insignificantly higher and total sugars and soluble solids were lower in pedicellate fruit during storage. The pedicellate fruit had more flesh firmness than non-pedicellate fruits. It was concluded that ‘New Castle’ apricot with pedicel had 24–48 hours more storage-life with minimum decay, higher marketability and fruit firmness. Therefore, while harvesting ‘New Castle’ apricot, the pedicel should remain attached to its fruit for maintaining better storage quality.

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Key words

Apricot, pedicel, storage life.

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