Grading and prices of grape and pomegranate fruits – a case of Bijapur and Bagalkot markets
Loading...
Date
2007
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
UAS, Dharwad
Abstract
Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) commonly known as Anar, Dalim, matulum is an
important fruit of tropical and subtropical regions of India. Grape (Vitis vinifera L. cv.
Thompson Seedless) belongs to family Vitaceae, is perhaps the most widely cultivated fruit
crop of the world in varying climatic zones extending from the temperate to the tropics. The
research conducted on grading and price quality aspects are rare. Bijapur and Bagalkot
markets are the terminal markets for grape, and pomegranate, respectively. Samples were
collected during the crop year 2005-06 from Bijapur and Bagalkot markets. The total sample
size was 120. For each fruit crop two leading varieties were selected and 30 samples from
each variety were selected.
It was hypothesized that the price depends on both qualitative and non-qualitative
characters. The non-quality characters were area under crop, variety, soil type, time of
harvest, time of sale and quality of information. Step-wise multiple regression functions were
separately run for each selected crop. In order to overcome the shortcomings of eye-sight
grading the instrumental measurement of all the qualitative variables were used in this study.
Eye-sight grades deviate from scientific grades quite significantly and that they do not reflect
actual quality of grape and pomegranate. Testing of this hypothesis, was accomplished on the
basis of the instrument measurement of all quality variables used in this study. The
coefficients of step-wise multiple regression analysis were compared with eye-sight grade
and scientific grade. Scientific grading should be based on objective evaluation of quality
aspects. The highest average price of Rs. 23.17/kg was given to Thompson variety of grape.
The coefficient of variation was also highest (6.04) for Sharad variety. The average price for
Kesar variety observed to be Rs. 32.30/kg. The coefficient of variation was highest in Ganesh
(5.77) and lowest was in Kesar variety (5.22).