Effect of pre-harvest spray of calcium on bio-chemical parameters of sapota [Manilkara achras (Mill.) Forsberg] Fruits cv. Kalipatti

Abstract

An experiment was carried out at Horticultural Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand during summer 2016. The experiment consisting of 10 treatments of chemicals like CaCl2 @ 0.5, 1 and 1.5%; Ca (NO3)2 @ 0.5, 1 and 1.5%; CaSO4 @ 0.5, 1 and 1.5% along with control (water) sprayed on 20 years old tree of sapota cv. Kalipatti three weeks before harvest and fruits were stored at ambient condition. The spraying of CaCl2 @ 1% found effective for increasing total soluble solids, total sugar, reducing sugar, non-reducing sugar, ascorbic acid with minimum acidity and moisture content of sapota fruits. While, pre-harvest spraying of CaCl2 @ 1.5% improved calcium content of sapota fruits.