Improving phytochemical constituents of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cv. Bhagwa by pre-harvest treatments

Abstract

Pomegranate is rich source of bioactive compounds and a potent pharmacological important crop, it has gained more importance in human health. Pre-harvest treatment with calcium chloride, Gibberellic acid, Benzyl adenine (BA), Salicylic acid, Methyl Jasmonate and Potassium Nitrate sprays was carried to enhance the phytochemical constituents and to improve the table quality of pomegranate fruit. Selected plants were sprayed at 30 day’s interval till commercial harvest and harvested fruits were analysed for biochemical constituents and physical parameters. Analysed fruits had exhibited a higher ascorbic acid (13.80 mg 100ml-1), antioxidants (168.68 mg AEE 100g-1), anthocyanins (45.69 mg 100ml-1), total phenolic (544.78 mg GAE 100g-1) and total tannins (7.80 mg 100g-1) as compared to control which signifies the importance of pre-treatments. Fruits sprayed with potassium nitrate and methyl jasmoate had induced more accumulation of phytochemicals as compared to other chemicals.