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There is an abundant apricot fruit production in Rawalakot Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Unfortunately due to improper post-harvest management practices, more than 50 % of post-harvest losses have been recorded annually. The seasonal fruit production offers an excellent opportunity for the development of novel fruit products. The current study was planned to develop the pulp products of apricot with an objective to minimize the post-harvest losses of local apricot and to evaluate the physico-chemical and sensory properties of fruit leather and pulp. Vitamin C, TSS and acidity were evaluated by the AOAC method. The quality traits, sensory evolution and storage stability were assessed by the interval of 15 days. The highest 79% moisture was found in cultivated fruit pulp (CFP). Maximum (7.3) pH was found in cultivated fruit leather (CFL). In the case of total soluble solids, the highest (23.3 %) was seen in cultivated fruit leather. Maximum (14.01 mg/100g and 0.21 %) vitamin C and acidity were found in wild fruit pulp. The highest (33.55 %) sugar content was seen in cultivated fruit leather. As for as concern with acceptability, cultivated fruit pulp had maximum (6.81) acceptability. Based on these findings, apricot fruit leather and pulp contained a good amount of sugar, vitamin C and TSS having high acceptability. The value addition, apricot fruit product could play an important role to minimize postharvest losses annually as well as improve the nutritional and economic status of the community and also boost up the economy of the country through export share. Keywords: Apricot; Fruit leather; Product development; Value addition http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2020.90242

The aim of the study was to estimate the magnitude of genetic variation through the characterization of germplasm using agronomical and morphological traits. In the current investigation 38 genotypes of chilli (Capsicum annuum) were evaluated at an agronomical and morphological level for (10 quantitative and 14 qualitative traits). A set of parameters covering different growth stages selected from the Capsicum descriptors developed by Biodiversity International Former. Qualitative traits were studied on a visual basis. Quantitative characters such as plant height ranged from 40 cm (36588) to 63 cm (36616). Fruit length and width range from 2.21 cm (36591) to 13.2 cm (36636) and 0.60 cm (36569) to 2.90 cm (36560 and 36441). Fruit weight varied from 0.85 g (36591) to 8.30 g (36651). Results obtained for yield/plant ranged from 175.49g (36652) to 780.3 g (36616). Results demonstrated the existence of diversity between the studied genotypes and consequently, providing the opportunity of attaining genetic advances in hybridization program for particular traits under consideration. Keywords: Agronomic traits; Chilli germplasm; Genetic diversity; Morphological traits http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2020.90168