Abstract

An experiment to extend the marketable shelf life of acidlime fruits with skin coating, 2,4-D and prepacking either alone or in combinations was conducted at the Horticultural Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Periyakulam. Frutox (Wax emulsion) recorded the lowest physiological loss of weight (6.0-6.2 per cent) as against 11.2 percent in the control. The different levels of Frutox (4,8 and 12 per cent) did not vary significantly for physiological loss of weight. Prepacking also recorded low physiological loss of weight (5.6 per cent). A combination of Frutox and prepacking significantly reduced the physioloical loss of weight to 0.8 to 1.0 per cent thus revealing cumulative effects. Dipping with 2,4-D 100 ppm did not influence the physiological loss of weight either when used alone or in combination with Frutox or with Frutox and prepacking. Frutox and 2,4-D individually had no effect on the intensity of storage rots as compared to control. Prepacking favoured the incidence of storage rots, while prepacking in combination with Frutox further enhanced the disense intensity. On the other hand, 2,4-D + Frutox + prepacking combination reduced the incidence of storage rot remarkably. Prepacking prolonged the marketable shelf life of acidlime to 17 days as against 5.7 days in the control. Further, extension of shelf life upto 25.3 days.

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