Harvesting and handling of low chill temperate fruits

Abstract

With the advent and introduction of low chill fruit varieties, the cultivation of temperate fruit crops such as peach, pear and plum get the impetus across the sub tropical regions of northern India. The cultivation of low chill peaches (Partap, Florda Prince, Shan-i-Punjab, Earli Grande, Prabhat, Punjab Nectarine), pear (Punjab Nakh, Punjab Gold, Punjab Nectar, Punjab Beauty, Punjab Soft, Nijisseikki) and plum (Sutlej Purple, Kala Amritsari) has attained significant position for the last few decades due to higher productivity, efficiency, regularity in bearing and more remunerative returns. The regions comprising Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh including Terai regions lies in the south of the outer foothills of the Himalayas, Shivalik Hills, and north of Indo-Gangetic Plains are suitable for the cultivation of low chill temperate fruits. Furthermore, there are known for the quality production due to the availability of unique climatic conditions, availability of 150 to 350 chilling hours as well as mild temperature suitable for flowering and fruit set. The majority of temperate fruits are climacteric in nature. As a result, the physiological factors like respiration, transpiration, ethylene production, physiological disorders and pathological breakdown are associated with their shelf life. The shelf life of temperate fruits is gradually decreased with the upsurge in ethylene production after fruits harvest.