Sheela, K BReni, MKAU2019-05-072019-05-071997171443http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810102237PGThe study on 'Screening of papaya (Carica papaya L.) varieties with special reference to postharvest attributes' was conducted at the Department of Processing Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1995- 1997. Twelve varieties were evaluated for their performance under Vellanikkara " conditions. The storage behaviour of fruits under ambient and low temperature conditions were compared. The changes in chemical constituents of fruits under different conditions of ripening and in pulp during storage were studied. Variety Honey Dew was found to be superior in respect of collar girth, canopy spread, petiole length and leaf area. Varieties CO-6, CO-5, 9-1-0 and CO-4 were high yielding with heavier fruits and higher recovery of pulp whereas maximum number of fruits was in Solo (73.38). Though Solo had the smallest fruits (265 g), in respect of quality Solo ranked top registering high TSS (14.6° brix), total and non-reducing sugars (7.73% and 2.06%, respectively). The local types were comparatively late and low in productivity. The number of days taken to attain harvest maturity ranged from 120 to 150 days in the various cultivars. The physical characters of fruits like fruit weight, length, circumference were found to increase with maturity of fruits. The growth pattern in respect of fruit weight was simple sigmoid in Solo which had light fruits whereas in 9-1-0 and CO-5 which had respectively medium and heavy fruits it was double sigmoid. Maximum shelf life was recorded in cultivar MS (12.3 days) followed by Solo (11.0 days) under ambient conditions. Low temperature storage was found effective in reducing PLW, enhancing shelf life and reducing incidence of postharvest spoilage of fruits. TSS and sugars were found to be highest in tree ripe fruits and least in fru~s after LT storage. The chemical constituents viz., TSS, acidity, pH and sugars were found to vary during storage of pulp. But the variation was minimum in cultivars CO-3 and Solo. RTS beverage prepared from fresh and preserved pulp of CO-3 and Solo were acceptable after 30 days of storage. The present investigation revealed the overall superiority of the cultivar Solo and CO-3 in respect of number of fruits, colour of flesh, TSS, total and reducing sugars, PLW in storage and shelf life of fruits and stability of pulp. Cultivars CO-6, CO-5, 9-1-0 and CO-4 can be recommended for commercial cultivation for processing purposes.ennullThesis