Book of Extended summaries ISDA

International Conference on Reimagining Rainfed Agro-ecosystems: Challenges &
Opportunities during 22-24, December 2022 at ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad
life of custard apple. Oxalic acid reduces the production of polygalacturonase (PG) and pectin
methyl esterase (PME), which will be responsible for cell wall degradation, so that the treated
fruit maintains the firmness (Wu et al., 2011). Salicylic acid is an endogenous plant hormone
which plays an important role in enhancing fruit quality and positively effects on reducing
respiration and ethylene biosynthesis rates, weight loss, decay and softening of the fruits
(Shafiee et al., 2010). Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) can release nitric oxide (NO) by reduction
and decomposition. Since Nitrous Oxide decreases ethylene synthesis, during ripening and fruit
senescence. Application of these eco-friendly chemicals explored in many fruits but remains
unexplored in custard apple. There is urgent need to develop low cost and eco-friendly
approaches.
Methodology
The mature, freshly harvested, uniform size and quality fruits of custard apple cv. “Balanagar’’
free from insect pest and microbial infection procured from the experimental orchard of AICRP
on AZF, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Jhalawar and to the laboratory of Department
of Post-Harvest Technology, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Jhalawar (Rajasthan). After
preliminary sorting, the fruits were washed thoroughly in tap water to remove the dirt and dust
from the surface of fruit and then fruits were dried in the air. The whole lots of fruits were
being randomly divided into 13 lots and each lots containing 20 fruits were given following
postharvest treatments (Oxalic acid @ 2.5 mM, 5.0 mM, 7.5 mM, 10.0 Mm, Salicylic acid @
0.5 mM, 1.0 mM, 1.5 mM, 2.0 mM, Sodium Nitro Prusside@ 0.5 mM, 1.0 mM, 1.5 mM, 2.0
mM) by dipping the fruits in respective chemical solution for 10 minutes followed by air
drying. These fruits were kept in aerated corrugated boxes. The data collected as a part of
experiment will be analyzed by following analytical method as followed for Completely
Randomized Design (CRD).
Results
TSS was significantly affected by different post-harvest treatments during entire storage
period. On 9 th day of storage maximum increment in TSS (38.87°Brix) was observed in
treatment T12 (Sodium Nitro Prusside @ 2.0 mM ) and lowest (25.61°Brix) in treatment T0
(Control). T 12 treatment was found superior over all other treatments. A sharp drop was
witnessed in titratable acidity of all fruits during whole storage period although on 9 th day of
storage maximum decrease in titratable acidity was perceived in fruits treatments with Salicylic
acid @ 2.0 mM) (57.81%) and Oxalic acid @ 5.0 mM (57.81%) and lowest with Salicylic
acid @ 1.0 mM (23.68%). It is apparent from the data revealed that different post-harvest
treatments significantly influenced the total sugar during entire storage period of custard apple
fruits. Application of Sodium Nitro Prusside @ 2.0 mM recorded maximum increment
(70.26%) of total sugar and minimum increment (26.26%) was recorded under control on 9 th
day of storage. Further, Sodium Nitro Prusside @ 2.0 mM was found significantly better among
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