Introduction. Strawberry is basically a temperate fruit, but, due to its short production cycle (100–120 days), it has now become the fastest growing crop in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the Asian nations. In India, farmers of northern plain regions transplant the strawberries before the onset of the winter and keep on harvesting until early summer. Not much is known about the impact of the harvesting season (winter and summer) on the accumulation of health-promoting substances or on quality traits. Considering the existing research gaps and practical utility, the present study was undertaken. Materials and methods. Four varieties were grown on raised beds with black polythene mulch, and a drip and fertigation system. Fruits were harvested at the ¾ colour (scarlet) development stage and observations were recorded on different physiological and functional attributes consecutively during three harvesting months. Results and discussion. Our results indicated that both cultivars and harvesting months affected the physiology and functional quality of strawberry fruit. Anthocyanin, ascorbic acid and total antioxidants were found to be higher during March. Ascorbic acid content registered ≈ 50% reduction during advance summer harvesting (April). Among the tested varieties, Camarosa gave better results during all three harvesting months in terms of desirable quality traits. Conclusion. Our findings show that there are some varieties such as Camarosa which have the potential to produce functionally superior fruits over other cultivars even during early summer. The information presented may be helpful in selection of suitable cultivars, and postharvest handling and processing measures for strawberry fruits harvested during different months.

Introduction. Postharvest physiology and ripening in passion fruit are not well documented, which is an impediment in designing handling and storage regimes. Materials and methods. Passion fruits harvested at four different maturity stages were studied for postharvest ripening behaviour and to determine the correct stage of harvesting. Results and discussion. The respiratory climacteric peak was attained in all stages irrespective of harvest maturity, while the ethylene evolution rate increased by almost 8.15 times the initial value to peak levels of 505.35 µL C2H4·kg–1·h–1 in fruits harvested at the 50% colour turning stage. Changes in Hunter L*a*b* values indicated development of optimum colour only in fruits harvested after 50% colour turning. Fruit quality attributes were also better in fruits harvested after half (50%) colour turning than fruits harvested earlier. Conclusion. Passion fruit should be harvested only after 50% of fruit surface colour has developed, so as to allow for optimum postharvest storage, proper ripening, and development of characteristic flavour and fruit quality attributes.

Abstract – Introduction. Mango fruits grown under high-density planting show a progressive decline in crop yield after 14–15 years, due to overcrowding of canopies, which suggests regular canopy management is necessary. Hence, the effects of pruning treatment on fruit yield and quality of ‘Amrapali’ mango were studied in India over two consecutive years, 2010 and 2011. Materials and methods. Mango trees were subjected to pruning (removal of 50 cm of shoot from the apex) in the month of September 2009 with unpruned trees serving as control. Fruits were harvested at the commercial maturity stage and quality parameters were assessed both in fresh fruits and following ripening at room temperature [(35 ± 2) °C and (80 ± 5)% RH)]. Results and discussion. Fruit yield of pruned trees was found to decrease during the first year compared with the fruit yield of unpruned trees; later on, it increased during the second year. Pruning resulted in significantly higher fruit weight, fruit firmness, total carotenoids, antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content. Early maturity of fruits was observed from unpruned trees with faster color change, higher total soluble solids and lower titratable acidity. The fruits harvested from pruned trees showed slower ripening, and lower respiration, ethylene evolution rate and enzyme activity as compared with fruits from unpruned trees. Both anthracnose and stem-end rot disease percentage were reduced in ripe fruits from pruned trees. Conclusion. Pruning treatment appears to be an alternative strategy to obtain better yield and quality in densely populated old mango orchards.