Extending shelf-life of tropical fruits through ripening retardants.
Singh S. P., Borase S. S.
Author Affiliation: Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Gujarat Agricultural University, Junagadh Campus, Junagadh - 362 001, India.
Advances in Horticulture and Forestry 9 : 79-100
Abstract : The present state of knowledge revealed that fruits such as papaya [pawpaw], banana, ber [Ziziphus mauritiana], guava, mango, sapota [Manilkara zapota], citrus fruits, custard apple [Annona reticulata] and pomegranate can be stored safely for certain period under ambient temperature as well as in cold storage with the help of postharvest treatment with certain ripening retardants such as fruit coating resin (Waxol), gibberellic acid (GA3), CaCl2, KMnO4, and Cycocel [chlormequat] at their appropriate concentration. Ripening retardants prolong shelf life of fruits, reduce weight loss, spoilage and maintain higher percentage of marketable quality fruits up to a certain period of time thereby overcome glut in markets during peak season, and give higher returns to growers and traders.