Effect of Different Nitrogen Regimes through Azadirachta indica (neem) Coated Urea and Calcium Sprays on Post-harvest Attributes of Peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch]

Abstract

An investigation was conducted for two consecutive years in peach cv. Red June with varying nitrogen regimes through Azadirachta indica (neem) coated urea along with three sprays of calcium chloride. There were ten treatments i.e., 375g N per tree + 0.5% Ca Cl2 (T1), 375g N tree-1 + 1.0% Ca Cl2 (T2), 375g N tree-1 + 1.5% Ca Cl2 (T3), 500g N tree-1 + 0.5% Ca Cl2 (T4), 500g N tree-1 + 1.0% Ca Cl2 (T5), 500g N tree-1 + 1.5% Ca Cl2 (T6), 625g N tree-1 + 0.5% Ca Cl2  (T7), 625g N tree-1 + 1.0% Ca Cl2 (T8), 625g N tree-1 + 1.5% Ca Cl2 (T9), 500g N tree-1 + Water spray as control (T10). The fruits were harvested at uniform maturity, stored at ambient condition and their post-harvest attributes were studied on 3rd, 6th and 8thday. The highest mean PLW was recorded under control (T10). The maximum mean fruit firmness viz., 0.948 kg/mm2 and 0.949 kg/mm2 in first and second year, respectively was measured under T2 and T3. The maximum mean TSS during the course of storage was recorded under T2 followed by T3 and T1. The maximum mean titratable acidity was estimated under T10. The treatments under 375 g N per tree along with calcium chloride sprays (T1, T2 and T3) possessed comparatively higher mean TSS - Acid ratio than other treatments. Treatment T2 and T3 consistently maintained higher organoleptic acceptability score with quality preference as excellent on 3rd day.