K.K. Misra

Effect of foliar spray of calcium chloride and boric acid on shelf-life of guava

The present investigation was conducted during 2015–16 on guava cv. Pant Prabhat having 9 treatments ofdifferent combinations of calcium and boron sprays made in 3 replications. The results obtained showed thatminimum physiological loss in weight (PLW) was found under T2 (calcium chloride @ 0.4%) treatment. Whereas, TSS (11.99oB), ascorbic acid (252.4 mg/100 g) and total sugars (7.51%) were found to be maximum in T8 (calciumchloride @ 0.4% + boric acid @ 0.2%) treatment and overall acceptability of fruits in storage up to six days wasalso found maximum under the same treatment. The findings of the present investigation revealed that thepre-harvest foliar application of calcium chloride and boric acid twice was an effective way for improvement offruit quality and shelf-life of guava. Calcium chloride (0.4%) and boric acid (0.2%) were found to be effective inincreasing quality, whereas, calcium chloride (0.4%) alone was effective for maintaining fruits under ambientstorage conditions for six days.

Correlations studies in bael (Aegle marmelos Correa)

The correlation coefficient (r) of 15 growth parameters was estimated using 11 clones of Bbael (Aegle marmelos Correa). The correlation coefficient indicated that there was positive and significant correlation amongst tree height and tree volume, tree spread and trunk diameter, cross trunk sectional area and tree volume; tree volume and leaf area, total chlorophyll, total mineral content and photosynthetic efficiency; total chlorophyll and total mineral content and photosynthetic efficiency; leaf nitrogen and magnesium; total mineral content and photosyn-thetic efficiency, while there was a negative and significant correlation of tree spread, trunk diameter and cross trunk sectional area with yield efficiency.

Studies on suitability of cultivars, picking dates and drying methods for the preparation of karonda (Carissa carandus L.) fruit powder

Three cultivars of karonda (Carissa carandus L.), viz., Pant Suvarna, Pant Manohar and Pant Sudarshan were picked at 40, 55 and 70 days after fruit set and used for the preparation of fruit powder. The powder was prepared by two methods of drying, i.e., Sun and cabinet drying. The maximum yield (21.7%) of powder was obtained in the sun-dried samples of Pant Sudarshan. Highest ascorbic acid content (30.45 mg/100 g) was found in the cabinet dried samples of 70-day-old fruits of cv. Pant Sudarshan. Phosphorus (0.447%), potassium (18.73%), iron (0.365 mg/100 g), copper (0.012 mg/100 g), and manganese (0.193 mg/100 g) contents were higher in the powder prepared from the fruits of cv. Pant Suvarna. Among the drying methods, cabinet drying resulted in better retention of nutrients and less non-enzymatic browning. In general, organoleptic score in respect of colour, texture and overall acceptability was more in cabinet-dried powder of karonda fruits picked 70 days after fruit set.