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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]

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]

The unique fruit characters of new strawberry genotypes reveal their importance for the current and next breeding initiatives. The aim of present research was to assess the plant, flower and fruit characteristics of three exotic strawberry genotypes. In this respect, an experiment was conducted in the research area of the Horticultural Research Institute of Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan during the year of 2019-2021. Results revealed that Sogoya germplasm have maximum survival (85.71%), number of leaves (16.55), leaf area (62.41 cm2), No. of flowers (38), No. of fruits (46), fruit length (41.69 mm), fruit weight (12.12) and yield (634.2g/plant) was included. While in qualitative characteristics germplasm Sogoya revealed highest total soluble solids (10.85%), total sugars (8.61%) and vitamin C (66.24 mg/100g). The outcomes of this study depicted that exotic genotype Sogoya has the potential to develop into a unique and valuable variety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 185 diverse genotypes of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), including 33 genotypes of Lycopersicum var. Cersiforme (cherry tomatoes), were grown under shade house at National Agriculture Research Council (NARC), Islamabad Pakistan. The genotyes were harvested at fully ripened stage to evaluate the minerals and antioxidant properties. Genotypes were evaluated for antioxidants (ascorbic acids, lycopene, ß-carotene and total soluble solids), mineral contents (Na, K, Ca, Mg and P) and trace elements (Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn). Significant variations were recorded for antioxidant compounds, minerals and trace elements. Lycopene contents ranged from 1.57 to 23.24 mg 100g-1, ascorbic acid from 11.64 to 29.11 mg 100g-1, total soluble solids from 3.33 to 6.46 mg 100g-1 while beta-carotene ranged from 1.32 to 7.6 mg 100g-1.The contents of potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc were ranged from 780 to 3260 mg kg-1, 97.37 to 315 mg kg-1, 30.89 to 164.2 mg kg-1, 4.15 to 15.67 mg kg-1and 1.1 to 12.8 mg kg-1 respectively. Cherry genotypes (W-C 1653,W-C 1654,W-C 1656, W-C 1655,W-C 1658, W-C 1657,W-C 1660,W-C 1659,W-C 1666, W-C 16661, W-C 16667,W-C 16668,W-C 1670,W-C 1671,WC 1673) were found rich in antioxidants, minerals and trace elements. The results reported that quality and anti-oxidants of tomato fruit indicate high potential for genetic improvement of tomato through utilization of identified genotypes for important traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]