Physical and management constraints associated with post harvest quality deterioration of guava

• Published in: Pakistan Journal of Seed Technology (Pakistan) Vol. 2; no. 15; pp. 50 - 57
• Main Authors: Khan, S.N. (Punjab Univ., Lahore (Pakistan). Inst. of Plant Pathology), Moazam, Z. (Punjab Univ., Lahore (Pakistan). Inst. of Plant Pathology), Nasrullah, S. (Punjab Univ., Lahore (Pakistan). Inst. of Plant Pathology), Sharif, N, Tahira, J.J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2010
• Subjects: GUAVAS; KEEPING QUALITY; PACKAGING; PACKAGING MATERIALS; PAKISTAN; POSTHARVEST DECAY; POSTHARVEST TECHNOLOGY; STORAGE; TRANSPORT
• ISSN: 1680-4317

The present study was conducted on analyzing the market factors at main markets, Sundays bazaars and retailers so that every market section belonging to urban, sub urban and rural consumer could be represented. Information regarding fruit deterioration (shelf life) was correlated with distance from the market and fruit quality decline was linked with storage and means/ conditions for transport. In the market fruits were classified on appearance of the fruit. Physical appearance classification o the fruit a 0-5 rating scale. Immature guava fruits dark green in color, hard and woody in texture were picked and transported to market. Improper handling was the main factor causing major loss in post harvest chain. Fruit spoilage was mostly due to the humidity in air which causes lowering of temperature and inside the packing thin film of water cover the surface fruit. During mid winter, pathogen infestation was less than at the end of winter. During transportation to Lahore, guava does not pass through ripening process because it was brought from nearby areas. In the present studies, efforts were also made to develop relationship between post harvest conditions and distance from the market with fruit quality.