STUDIES ON FLOWERING,, FRUITING BEHAVIOUR AND POST HARVEST QUALITY OF SOME NON--DESCRIPT GENOTYPES OF LITCHI (Liitchii chiinensiis Sonn..)
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Date
2017
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Publisher
Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand-6
Abstract
Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn) is a juicy fruit originated from southern China.
It is the most popular member of family Sapindaceae and sub-family Nepheleae
which is native of sub-tropical China (Groff, 1921). India is second largest producer
of litchi next to China. In India litchi is cultivated mainly in Bihar, Jharkhand, West
Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab. Bihar
ranks first in area and production of litchi. The edible portion of litchi fruit is a white
to creamy coloured translucent pulp that surrounds a glossy and aromatic brown seed.
At present many litchi varieties are available and they differ in yield, maturity,
ripening period and physico-chemical properties. It is a general observation that
better quality fruits fetch good price. Hence comparison of different litchi cultivars
need to be explored with a view to find out the most suitable cultivar having quality
fruits for fetching lucrative income to the orchard owners. The present study
comprised various aspect of different non-descript genotypes of litchi grown at
experimental farm of Ranchi Agriculture College, Kanke, Ranchi. As litchi fruits are
highly perishable in nature, it suffers from high post harvest losses (upto 50%).
Wherever it is grown, its shelf life under ambient conditions is never more than 24 to
72 hours (Kumar et al., 2004).
Considering these things, the present study was undertaken to find out the best
suitable genotype adapted to this region and to identify best suited cushioning
material to enhance the shelf- life of litchi during the year 2015 and 2016.
Different observations were taken and the results revealed that the minimum
days for panicle emergence (27.12 days), initiation of flowering (53.87 days) and 50%
flowering (63.37 days) was recorded in genotype 1. Maximum fruit set (38.47%) and
retention (39.73%) of fruits was observed in genotype 1. Yield was found maximum
in genotype 1 (109.49 kg/tree).
Maximum fruit length (3.49 cm), breadth (3 cm), Weight (25.34 g) and
volume (22.90 cc) was observed in genotype 1. Number of tubercles was found
maximum in genotype 1 (163.25). Genotype 1 showed maximum aril (69.97%) and
juice percentage (51.86%) of fruits. In the same treatment i.e. genotype 1, stone
percentage (14.93%) and peel percentage (14.35%) was found minimum. Fruit
cracking was found minimum in genotype 11 (13.73%).
Results obtained in regard to physic-chemical properties of litchi fruits reveal
that maximum TSS (20.300B) and minimum titratable acidity (0.48%) was observed
in genotype 1. TSS:acid ratio (42.1) was also found maximum in genotype 1.
Whereas, ascorbic acid was recorded maximum with genotype 11 (42.32 mg/100 g of
pulp). Total sugar (14.12%) and reducing sugar (10.52%) was observed maximum in
genotype 1. B:C ratio was also found maximum in genotype 1.
Physiological loss in weight and volume of litchi fruits increased with increase
in the duration of storage. However, cushioning of stalkless fruits with shisham leaves
stored at freezing temp. resulted in significantly less loss as compared to control and
other treatments. Significantly high TSS and ascorbic acid content was recorded under
similar treatment. Decline in the acidity of litchi fruits with increase in storage time
was observed. TSS: acid ratio was high when fruits were stored at freezing temp. and
cushioned with shisham or litchi leaves. No significant effects of treatments tested on
total sugar, reducing sugar and non-reducing sugar upto 7th day of storage. However,
cushioning of stalkless fruits with shisham leaves stored at freezing temp. resulted in
high total sugar content. Hence genotype 1was most suitable regarding reproductive,
physical and physicochemical parameters of fruits. Cushioning of fruits with shisham
leaves and storage at freezing temp. enhances shelf life of fruits.
Description
STUDIES ON FLOWERING,, FRUITING BEHAVIOUR AND POST HARVEST QUALITY OF SOME NON--DESCRIPT GENOTYPES OF LITCHI (Liitchii chiinensiis Sonn..)
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