Srinagar, Nov 1: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) Shalimar on Tuesday issued an advisory for harvest of late apple varieties and for scientific management of fruit rots left in and around orchards.
Regarding harvesting of late apple varieties, the advisory said fruit should be harvested only after ensuring that they have attained characteristic skin, flesh and seed colour.
“Mature fruits generally tend to hold less tightly to tress and as such detach easily. Specified days after full bloom is another reliable guide for harvesting fruits,” it said.
As per the advisory, random samples should be subjected to starch-iodine test and starch rating should be from 2-2.5 on 1-6 rating scale for prolonged storage.
“Fruit firmness test should be done with the help of pressure tester and fruit pressure should range between 15-17 lbs/ sq inch. Make sure that fruits do not get any wounds or bruises while harvesting and handling. It will cause rotting of the fruit. Only store unblemished fruit to prevent rotting in storage,” it added.
Regarding sorting and grading apples, the advisory suggested removing the damaged, diseased and underutilized fruits from the lot and grading fruits on the basis of colour and size.
“Graded apples always fetch a premium prize as the grower gains the confidence of customers and customer gets satisfaction. Graded apples can be traded in the international market also. Conversion of C grade apples into processed products increases their value by many folds,” it said.
Regarding packaging, the advisory suggested orchardists use corrugated fiberboard (CF) boxes for packaging of graded apples using fibre trays.
“Do not use wooden boxes and avoid use of paddy straw as cushioning material. For long storage of apples in C.A and Cold Stores, use either plastic crates or CF boxes with outer polyethylene lining or laminations,” it said.
“Use of CF boxes makes the pack attractive and fetch a good price. Use of fiberboard boxes is internationally accepted and thus the produce can be marketed in international market as well. Use of plastic crates or laminated CF Boxes doesn’t absorb moisture during long storage and as such maintain the quality and increases shelf life of apples,” it said.
About transportation of fruit the advisory suggested using refrigerated transport for dispatch of apples to distant markets which not only maintains quality and increases shelf life but also reduces transport losses.
Regarding rodents it suggested farmers to continue vigorous campaign against rodents. On marking of trees, it said trees which are less productive, heavily infested, dry trees should be identified and marked with some paint for top working. Similarly, arrangements of efficient pruning tools and white-led paint should be made.
The advisory said orchardists should collect disease-hit fruits or fruit rots, including apple and pear, left in and around orchards and bury in compost pits to avoid over-wintering of pathogens.
It added that fallen leaves, which are hardly removed from orchards as per the past practices should also be collected and destroyed to avoid diseases.
