Journal of Applied Horticulture. 2002: 4(1): 21-24

Effects of ultraviolet radiation, cytokinin and vapor gard on the shelf life of Kagzi lime (Citrus aurantiifolia Swingle).

Nagar, B L; Dashora, L K; Yadava, L P

Department of Horticulture, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur, India.

The effects of ultraviolet radiation (for 0, 5 or 10 minutes), benzylaminopurine [benzyladenine] (BAP; 0, 50 or 100 ppm), and vapour gard (antitranspirant concentrate; 0 or 4%), singly or in combination, on the quality of C. aurantiifolia fruits stored at room temperature (20.0-28.5 degrees C) were studied. Fruit quality parameters were evaluated at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 days after treatment. All the treatments resulted in lower physiological weight loss and decay, and greater diameter and juice content during storage compared with the control. The lowest reduction in physiological weight (5.32%) was obtained with ultraviolet radiation for 5 minutes + 100 ppm BAP + 4% vapour gard. Fruits treated with ultraviolet radiation for 5 or 10 minutes + 100 ppm BAP + 4% vapour gard did not exhibit rotting during storage. This treatment also recorded the lowest reduction in fruit diameter (4.67%). Treatment with ultraviolet radiation for 10 minutes + 100 ppm BAP + 4% vapour gard also gave the lowest reduction in juice content (from 58.85 to 51.35%).