Effect of pruning dates on harvesting time, yield, quality and storage of guava under drip irrigation [electronic resource].

Includes references.

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of pruning dates on harvesting time, yield, fruit quality and storage life of gUava. The trees were grown under drip irrigation system in sandy soil under desert condition. The data revealed that, bud break, full bloom and harvest time were earlier by pruning trees ~ t5 Dec. or Jan. than those pruned at 15 Feb. or Mar. Also, earty pruning increased the yield through increasing fruit weight, length and diameter. Fruits of trees pruned at 15 Dec. or Jan. and stored at 10°C and 90 % R.H. for 3 weeks gave the highest percent of weight IQss (17.03-18.03 %) and (16.42-17.42 %) respectively during the two seasons of stydy; whereas this percent was (15.2716.45 %) and (10.23-11.65 %) in fruits from trees pruned at 15 Feb. or Mar. respectively. Also, fruit weight, firmness, V.C, acidity and total phenols gradually decreased with prolonged storage in all applications, but sse, total sugars and SSC/acid ratio increased. Moreover, pruning appticatlon at 15 Mar. (last date) had a good effect on fruit behaviour during storage. Shelf life of fruits [held 4 days at room temperature after cold storage] have a suitable mai'ketable condition for fruits of trees pruned at 15 Feb. or Mar. compared with fruits of trees pruned at 15 Dec. or Jan. Pruning application at 15 Mar. (last date) gave better effect in this respect.

Summary in Arabic.

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