Effect of induced mechanical injury on aggregatum onion (CO-5) during post-harvest handling

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the extent of mechanical damage to aggregatum onion (CO-5) in post-harvest handling. The mechanical damage was assessed by artificially creating injury to the onion bulb and the treatments were Control, drop on metal surface, cut + drop on metal, cut + drop on wood, cut and drop on wood. Among all the treatments the cut +drop on both the platforms was found to induce more mass loss in onion. The percentage of rotten was found to be maximum for cut + drop on metal platform, whereas minimum for drop on wood and drop on metal. The firmness decreased gradually during storage of all treated onion expect for cut +drop on metal platform. The onions had significant effect between the treatments and mechanical damage showed its rigorousness during the storage period.