Arora, N.K.Himatkhwah, Rahimullah2019-11-122019-11-122019http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810135075The investigations entitled “Effect of protective covering and individual cluster wrapping on fruit quality in grapes (Vitis vinifera L.)” were carried out at Fruit Research Farm Department of Fruit Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2018 and 2019 fruiting seasons. The first experiment was conducted on own rooted vines of Perlette, Flame Seedless, Superior Seedless and Punjab Purple grapes grown in protective structure and open field condition. In second experiment, at colour break stage, clusters of Flame Seedless grapes were bagged individually with red and white coloured non-woven bags, LDPE sheets and butter paper bags. Advancement in time from bud-burst to fruit ripening was observed in treatment protective covering as compared to open field condition. Maximum cluster weight and size was recorded in Superior Seedless and Perlette grapes, respectively, under protective covering. Berry weight and size was maximum in variety Superior Seedless grown in protective covering. Maximum TSS (20.3% in 2018 and 19.5% in 2019) and Total Sugar (15.4% in 2018 and 14.8% in 2019) were recorded in Punjab Purple and Perlette varieties, respectively, under protective covering. The lowest acidity (0.60 % in 2018 and 0.62% in 2019) was recorded in Superior Seedless grapes grown under protective covering. TSS/acid ratio was higher in grape varieties grown under protective covering. Maximum total anthocyanin contents (68.0 mg in 2018 and 68.8 mg in 2019) were found in Punjab Purple grown in protective covering. In second experiment, colour improvement and significantly lowest uneven berries colour per cluster (18%) were recorded in white colour non-woven bags. Maximum cluster weight (366.55 g), size (length and breadth) and berry weight of Flame Seedless grapes were recorded in cluster covered with white coloured non-woven bags. Berry length (1.7 cm) and breadth (1.69 cm) and TSS (18.52 %) were significantly higher in T2 (white coloured non-woven bags) which was followed by T3 (LDPE sheet). The lowest acidity (0.48%) was recorded in white coloured non-woven bags. The highest mean TSS: acid ratio i.e. 38.5 per cent was recorded in treatment T2 (white coloured NWB) which was followed by T3 (LDPE sheet) (28.38 %). Total sugars (17.39 %) were higher in T2 (white coloured non-woven bags) followed by red coloured non-woven bags (15.65%). Whereas, maximum total anthocyanin contents (38.95 mg) were also found in white coloured NWB followed by LDPE sheet (30.1 mg). As fruit ripening time coincides with monsoon raining in Punjab, butter paper bag was completely damaged by rain, and also there was high percentage of spoilage of cluster due to trapping of rain water in LDPE Sheet.ennullThesis