Effect of pre-storage application of diphenylamine (DPA) on storage life and quality of pear fruits.

Pear fruits of cultivar ‘Patharnakh’ were harvested at physiological mature stage and treated with different concentration of DPA (500, 1000, 1500 ppm) each for five minutes After treatment the fruits were air dried and packed in corrugated fibre board cartons and stored at 0–1°C and 90–95% RH. A control lot, without any treatment, was also kept under same conditions for comparison. The data revealed that fruits treated with DPA (1500 ppm) recorded minimum weight loss, maintained acceptable firmness and quality attributes till 75 days of storage, as compared to control which could be stored for 60 days. An increase in storage life of pear fruits with DPA (1500 ppm) treatment can be a useful tool for regulating the marketing of pear fruits, which in turn will help in boosting the economy of pear growers.