International Journal of Horticulture, 2016, Vol.6, No.26, 1-8
3
plunger diameter of 11 mm. TSS was recorded with hand Refractometer (Erma, Japan) calibrated at 20
°
C.
Titratable acidity was determined by titrating a 5 mL juice with 0.1 N NaOH using Phenolphthalein as an indicator
(AOAC, 1990). Starch Iodine test was carried out to determine the conversion pattern of starch into sugars (Reid
et al., 1982). Iodine solution was prepared by dissolving 10 grams of iodine crystals and 25 grams of Potassium
Iodide in 1 liter of water. Fruits (N=10) were cut at right angles to the core, approximately halfway from stem to
calyx end; Iodine solution was applied to cut surface, drained away any excess and rated fruit staining after 2
minutes by using 0 to 6 scales (0 stands for full starch and 6 stands for free of starch). Observations were made for
various physiochemical characteristics and quality attributes. Data were analyzed statistically using GenStat
software version 10.3 (VSN International Ltd. Rothamsted Experimental Station, 2011).
2 Results and Discussion
2.1 Number of bruised fruits (%)
Number of bruised fruits after transportation was highly significant among apple cultivars. Maximum number of
bruised fruits was observed in Golden delicious (20.3%) followed by Royal delicious (17.3%) while minimum
(13.3%) in Red delicious (Table 1). Likewise, maximum number of bruised fruits (24.0%) was observed in
bamboo basket without liner followed by plastic liner (19.0%) while minimum (11.3%) in grass liner (Table 2).
Interaction effect of cushioning materials with cultivars on brushing was lowest in grass cushion followed by
woolen shawl while highest in ordinary bamboo basket without cushion (Table 3). Different cultivars of apple
may have differential tolerance to bruising and compression damages based on the nature of fruits such as skin
thickness and texture. Apples bruise easily due to compression, impact and vibration forces (Gautam, 2004).
Compression damage may occur in lower depth of the basket as a result of load of upper fruits, while impact
damage may occur due to rough handling on the surface of fruit. Vibration forces usually occur during
transportation, are difficult to avoid. These damages could be minimized if common sense is used for
understanding of appropriate transportation system, packaging design and post harvest handling. This study also
found the highest bruising damage on Golden delicious cultivar similar to the study conducted by Timm et al.
(1989). The highest bruising damage on bamboo basket without liner obtained from this study is also supported by
the finding by Gautam et al. (2004) and Shrestha (1996).
Table 1 Response of apple cultivars on brushing and spoilage damage during transportation and storage at HRS, Rajikot, Jumla for 3
consecutive years (2012-2014)
Cultivars
Bruised fruits (%)
Spoilage (%)
PWL (%)
Red Delicious
13.3
10.1
11.4
Royal Delicious
17.3
13.1
14.3
Golden Delicious
20.3
16.8
17.2
F - test
***
***
***
LSD (P< 0.05)
0.80
0.89
0.66
Table 2 Effect of cushioning materials on brushing and spoilage damage of apple at HRS, Rajikot, Jumla for 3 consecutive years
(2012-2014)
Cushioning materials
Bruised fruits (%)
Spoilage (%)
PWL (%)
Sole (Control)
24.0
24.3
14.4
Shawl
13.7
9.1
14.3
Paper
18.0
11.8
14.4
Grass
11.3
7.2
14.2
Plastic
19.0
14.4
14.3
F-test
***
***
*
LSD (P< 0.05)
1.03
1.15
0.86
