Effect of Pre-harvest Treatments on Storage and Quality of Banana cv. Robusta

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the research farm of the department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, India during 2008-2009 to evaluate the effect of pre-harvest treatments on quality and storage in banana (Musa AAA Robusta) with various combinations of growth regulators (GA 50 ppm and NAA 25 ppm) and organic sprays (vermi-wash, cow’s urine, coconut water) as well as cultural practices (dehanding one or two apical hands, bunch cover using polythene tube) along with a control. The growth regulators and organic sprays were applied one month after emergence of the bunch. Sugar content of the banana fruits had been increased by the application of the treatment i.e., removing one apical hand and spraying 50 ppm GA, one month after bunch emergence. On the other hand, TSS content and shelf life increased but acidity decreased with the treatment i.e., removal of two apical hands and spraying of 50 ppm GA one month after bunch emergence was imposed.