Studies on integrated nutrient and post harvest management of fig ficus carica L

Abstract

The present study entitled Studies on integrated nutrient and post harvest newlinemanagement of fig (Ficus carica L.) was conducted for two years during 2005-06 and 2006- newline07 at fig orchard of Mr. K.Anjaneya, Yeragera and Krishi Vigayan Kendra, Raichur to know newlinethe influence of different organic and inorganic manures at different combinations, effect of newlinegibberllic acid on fig production, pre and post harvest application of different chemicals for newlineextending shelf life and effect of different packages on post harvest life of fig. newlineAmong different treatment combinations , application of FYM at 8.25 t/ha + PM at 2.5 newlinet/ha + 75 per cent RDF was found superior with respect to number fruit per plant (419.41), newlinefruit diameter (5.51 cm), fruit length (5.32 cm), yield per plant (18.39 kg) and yield per hectare newline(12.25 t/ha) and realized the maximum net returns (Rs.1,98,207/ha) and B:C ratio (5.58.1) newlineThe application of gibberllic acid at 60 ppm with three sprays at an interval of 15 newlinedays starting from bud initiation increased shoot length, number of leaves and fruit length but newlinereduced the fruit diameter and weight. The maturity period was enhanced with increase in its newlineconcentration and number of sprays. newlineAmong different pre and post harvest treatments of chemicals, pre-harvest spray of newlineCaCl2(2%) 20 days before harvesting and post harvest treatment with crabendazim (0.1%) newlineand kinetin (50 ppm) had resulted in retaining higher TSS, reducing sugars and total sugars, newlinewhile acidity content of fruit followed declined trend. Further, use of these chemicals has newlineshown slow increase in physiological loss in weight and which further resulted increasing the newlineshelf life up to 4 days as compared to 2 days in control. newlineThe experimental results of different packing of fig fruits in CFB boxes with good newlinephysiological loss in weight and retained appreciable levels of sugars, acids, ascorbic acid newlinecushioning material kept under room temperature recorded slow and minimum and TSS up to newlinefourth day of storage. newline