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Present research work was conducted in 2021 on the optimization of dietetic jamun-mangopeach fruit blended drink prepared by using (T1 ) sugar, (T2 ) 0.1% aspartame, (T3 ) 0.1% acesulfame-K and (T4 ) 0.1% (aspartame + acesulfame-K). Fruit blend samples were pasteurized at 85-90 oC for 10 minutes, hot filled in glass bottles of 250 mL capacity and stored at ambient temperature for 120 days for physicochemical analysis (pH, total soluble solids, % acidity) and sensory evaluation (color, flavor, taste and overall acceptability). The pH and ascorbic acid decreased while TSS and % acidity increased in all drink samples during storage. In pH, the maximum decrease in T3 (5.90%) and the minimum decrease in T4 (2.60%) was observed while, the maximum decrease in ascorbic acid content was observed in T3 (48.26%) whereas the minimum decrease in T1 (45.22%) during 120 days storage. Similarly the maximum increase in TSS was noticed in T4 (2.55%) and the minimum increase in T3 (1.28%), while the maximum increase in % acidity was recorded in T3 (29.03%) and the minimum increase in T1 (13.89%) during storage. Color, flavor, taste and overall acceptability were also affected during storage. The maximum mean scores for taste (8.40), flavor (8.36), color 8.29 and overall acceptability 7.51 was observed in (T1 ) while the minimum mean score in overall acceptability 6.31, taste 7.24, flavor 7.51 and color 7.76 were observed in (T3 ). Statistical results showed that treatments and storage duration have significant effect. Results indicated that T1 containing sugar was found most acceptable by the panel of judges followed by T2 containing 0.1% aspartame. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current study was conducted in 2019 at Post Harvest Research Center, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan and Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan to address this problem of strawberry fruit where aloe vera gel coating was applied with different concentrations (0.1%, 1.5% and 2%) at 3°C to determine its possible effects on postharvest fruit quality and to increase the shelf life. Data were recorded on different fruit related parameters like fruit weight loss, fruit shape index, firmness, disease and decay %age, pH, TSS, titrateable acidity, vitamin-c content, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars and total sugars. The results showed that application of 1.5% aloe vera gel significantly increased the shelf life as evidenced by minimum fruit weight loss (5.2%), higher fruit firmness (2.75%), less disease and decay (5.8%). However, TSS (8.16 °Brix), reducing sugars (2.98%), non-reducing sugars (2.59%) and total sugars (5.57%) were found maximum for control. Highest acidity (0.88%) and vitamin C contents (53.46 mg/100g) were found in fruits treated with 2% aloe vera gel. Moreover, lowest pH (4.41) was recorded in fruits coated with 2% aloe vera gel. Results of this study revealed that the potential of using aloe vera gel at 1.5% as a coating material proved to be better to prolong postharvest life as well as to maintain quality of strawberry fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was conducted at Post Harvest Research Centre, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan in 2018-2019 to investigate the postharvest application of two antioxidants i.e. ascorbic acid (AA) and benzyl adenine (BA) on physicochemical properties and shelf life extension of guava fruit (Psidium guajava L.). The application of AA was done @ of 500, 750 and 1000 ppm, and BA was applied @ of 25, 50 and 75 ppm along with control for ten minutes and stored at 25 ± 2°C with a relative humidity of (70-75%). During storage, various physicochemical parameters were assessed at a three-day interval to the maximum acceptable period. Among various treatments, the BA @ 75 ppm was found effective to retain the lowest physiological weight loss (5.19%), greater firmness (1.95 kg/cm2 ) and TSS (6.95 Brix), ascorbic acid (82.66 mg/100g) and reducing sugar (3.83%). In addition, the total phenolic contents (0.15%), chlorophyll contents (0.21%) and pectin (0.32%) were found to be higher in BA treated fruit (75 ppm) as compared to control. The outcomes noticeably validate that 75 ppm application of BA showed a greater potential to enhance the shelf life and retain the quality characteristics of guava fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present experiment was performed at fruit orchard of Horticultural Research Station, Bahawalpur during 2016-18 to explore optimum concentration of urea causing deblossoming and defoliation in summer crop, subsequently improving fruit quality and production in winter crop of guava cv. ‘Surahi’. Five treatment combinations containing different concentrations of urea applications viz 0% (T0 =control), 09% (T1 ), 12% (T2 ), 15% (T3 ) and 18% (T4 ) which were applied twice fortnightly when summer crop attained 50% blooming. Percentages of flower drop, fruit drop, fruit set and defoliation as well as fruit weight, fruit length & diameter, total soluble solids, acidity, total sugars, ascorbic acid and yield per plant were recorded. Significant differences among treatment combinations were recorded in effect on each parameter during both years of study. Results from combined analysis of two-years data indicated that 15% urea spray on summer crop produced the highest yield (64.83 kg/plant), heavier fruit (203 g), bigger fruit size (length 9.3 cm & diameter 7.5cm), higher TSS (15o Brix), total sugars (7.1%) with minimum acidity (0.65%) in winter crop because of higher flower (75.5%) and fruit drop (41.5%), defoliation (25.8%) and less fruit set (17.7%) compared to non-target summer crop. High concentration of urea (18%) ranked 2nd with respect to fruit and yield parameters of winter crop but it led in flower dropping (80%), fruit dropping (46.8%), defoliation of summer crop (33%) and ascorbic acid (164.4 mg/100g pulp). Urea spray @ 15% proved the best for deblossomig and defoliation of summer crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study was conducted at Horticultural Research Station, Bahawalpur, Pakistan to evaluate eight Ber varieties viz Pak-White, Umran, Anokhi, Sufan, Bahawal-Seedless, Yazman, Aakash and Moon under Cholistan climatic conditions during 2017-19. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replications (2 plants of each variety planted at plant to plant and row to distance of 25 feet in square system during 2010 and nourished with same cultural practices). Data were recorded on tree height, stem girth, leaf length, leaf width, fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit weight, stone weight, pulp ratio, total soluble solids, vitamin-C and yield per plant. From averages of 3 years, maximum tree height (7.8m), stem girth (1.9m), stone weight (2.3g), Vitamin-C (121mg/100g pulp) and yield were obtained by Pak White variety. Maximum leaf length (9 cm) and fruit diameter (3.7cm) was attained by Yazman variety. Maximum leaf width (6.1cm), pulp ratio (99%) alongwith minimum stone weight (0.1g), total soluble solids (12oBrix), Vitamin-C (98mg/100g pulp) and maximum yield (108kg/plant) were recorded by Bahawal Seedless. Umran had maximum fruit length (5.2cm) and Anokhi led in TSS (19oBrix). All varieties performed well under Cholistan condition and showed potential to be grown on marginal land for better economic return. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted to assess the quality of carrot variety T-29 as affected by the application of potassium fertilizer. Potassium was applied @ 0, 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 kg/ha and carrot was sown during the month of November of every year. The experiment was continued for consecutive three years i.e. 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 at research area of Biochemistry Section, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Pakistan. Yield data were collected and quality parameters pulp, juice, TSS, vitamin C, dry matter, total sugars and reducing sugars were determined. Results revealed that the application of K enhanced the yield and quality parameters. Root yield in various treatments ranged from 20.6 to 30.8 in 2017, 18.0 to 25.8 in 2018 and 17.5 to 27.8 t/ha in 2019, minimum in control and maximum at treatment where K was applied @ 120 kg/ha. Quality parameters like pulp, juice, mineral matter and vitamin-C did not affect significantly by the application of K while the total sugars were increased from 4.0 to 5.6, 4.7 to 5.5 and 5.5 to 6.8% (Minimum in control and maximum with 120 kg/ha K application) during the years 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively. Maximum antioxidant potential i.e. 75.2, 80.13 and 78.6 was found with potassium application of 120 kg/ha during all years. Pro vitamin A contents (3782 and 3706 μg/100g) were analyzed during 2018 and 2019, respectively where 100 kg/ha potassium was applied. In short, potassium application could be effective for carrot optimum yield and quality enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]