EFFECT OF PRE AND POST HARVEST TREATMENTS ON ANNA FRUIT QUALITY

Abstract

Anna fruit from trees grown in sandy desert soil were treated at various dates from blooming with calcium, potassium or hand thinned by different methods or chemically thinned with Sevin or Ethephon or NAA. Different characters were estimated 45, 90 and 105 days from full blooming. Fruit of all treatments were picked when fruits control reached maturity. Fruits treated with calcium before harvest were post harvest dipped in calcium chloride. Representative samples of all treatments were stored at 5°C and 80% R.H.. Results showed significant effects. Calcium increased fruit firmness whereas hand thinning decreased it. T.S.S was increased with thinning and potassium treatments while calcium increased starch index. The majority of thinning treatments reduced it. The darkest red color resulted from Ethephon and hand thinning treatments. Cortical cells dimensions were increased as a result of thinning treatments. Severe thinning increased fancy and extra fancy fruits however, it decreased the crop. The calcium combined treatment reduced kull percentage whereas Ethephon treatment increased it. Calcium treatment reduced fruit loss in weight percentage and firmer fruits during storage. T.S.S was increased also by calcium treatment. Red coloration was developed during storage specially in Ethephon and calcium treatments, however, starch index % was decreased specially with potassium chloride treatment.?'J