Effect of pre-harvest foliar application of chemicals onyield attributes, firmness, and shelf life of fig (FicuscaricaL.) cv. Phule Rajewadi

Introduction

) is one of the oldest cultivated fruit crops and belongs to the family Moraceae. It is an important fruit crop of subtropical and semi-arid regions and is valued for its pleasant flavour, attractive colour, high soluble solids and nutritional properties. In India, its commercial production is limited to a few places near Pune and Aurangabad districts of Maharashtra, Bellary and Anantpur districts of Karnataka (Shelke et al., 2024) [1] . The crop is particularly important in the Pune region, and the Purandar fig production system has historical and commercial significance. Phule Rajewadi (JWF-6), developed by Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri and released in 2015, is an improved cultivar suited to Maharashtra, producing attractive fruits with pinkish pulp and high TSS range of about 18-20 per cent. It is suitable for both Khatta and Meetha bahar and is described as moderately resistant to rust and pests (Anon., 2025) [2] . Fresh fig is highly perishable because of its high moisture content, soft texture and rapid ripening. Loss of firmness, water loss, colour changes and microbial deterioration reduce marketability after harvest. Pre-harvest nutritional management can influence fruit development before harvest and may improve physical and biochemical quality. Fig have wide range of bioactive chemicals is largely responsible for their ability to improve health. These consist of organic acids, carotenoids, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and volatile substances. Because of their antioxidant properties, polyphenols are especially significant (Nagar et al., 2026) [3] . Calcium contributes to cell-wall strength through calcium pectate formation and helps maintain membrane stability (Jayachandran et al., 2005) [4] . Potassium plays important roles in enzyme activation, osmotic regulation, photosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism and translocation of assimilates (Dutta et al., 2011; Gaaliche et al., 2024) [5,6] . Salicylic acid regulates several physiological and biochemical processes and has been associated with delayed ripening and reduce deterioration in fruits (Babalar et al., 2007) [7] . Previous work has shown beneficial effects of calcium and potassium nutrition on fruit yield and quality in fig and other fruit crops (Jagtap et al., 2012; Khodke et al., 2018; Gaaliche et al., 2024) [8,9,6] . However, information on the comparative response of Phule Rajewadi to pre-harvest foliar application of calcium nitrate, salicylic acid and potassium schoenite under Rahuri conditions is limited. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of pre-harvest foliar sprays of different chemical formulations on yield parameters, fruit firmness, and post-harvest shelf life of fig.

Materials and methods

The experiment was conducted during 2023-2024 at the Fruit Demonstration Plot, All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Arid Zone Fruits, Department of Horticulture, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri. The trial was executed on a well-established four-year-old orchard of fig cv. Phule Rajewadi spaced at 4.5× 3.0 m. The experiment consisted of eight treatments arranged in a Randomized Block Design with three replications. The treatments were T 1: calcium nitrate 1%; T 2: calcium nitrate 2%; T 3: salicylic acid 0.1%; T 4: salicylic acid 0.2%; T 5: potassium schoenite 1%; T 6: potassium schoenite 2%; T 7: water spray; and T 8: absolute control. Treatments were applied by foliar spray at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days after fruit set. Yield parameters including days to fruit maturity, average fruit weight (g), number of fruits per tree, and yield (kg/tree) were evaluated at harvest. Fruit retention was calculated from the number of fruits retained at harvest relative to the number of fruits set. Fruit firmness was measured using an Instron Universal Testing Instrument with an 8-mm compressive probe and expressed in Newton. For post-harvest shelf life evaluations, harvested fruits were stored under ambient room temperature conditions. Physiological loss in weight (PLW %) was recorded daily, and overall shelf life (days) was recorded based on fruit decay and acceptability thresholds. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using standard analysis of variance (ANOVA) techniques appropriate for RBD. (Panse et al., 1985) [10] .

Results and discussion

Yield and physical attributes

An appraisal of the data presented in Table [9] . The physiological function of calcium in controlling fruit ripening and senescence may be the cause of the fruit maturity delay seen under calcium nitrate therapy (Kulkarni et al. (2012) [11] . The present findings are in agreement with earlier reports of improved yield and fruit quality following mineral nutrition in fig and other fruit crops (Jagtap et [8,9,6,12] .

Fruit firmness, PLW, and post-harvest shelf life

Data pertaining to fruit firmness, PLW, and shelf life are presented in Table 1 and Table 3.

Fruit firmness at harvest was significantly highest in Calcium Nitrate 2% (T 2 , 10.70 N), followed by Calcium Nitrate 1% (T 1 , 8.92 N), whereas minimum firmness was observed in Water Spray (T 7 , 6.70 N). Calcium-mediated stabilization of cell-wall and membrane components provides a plausible physiological explanation for this association, consistent with the calcium-related postharvest observations reported in (Jayachandran et al., 2005) [4] . In storage under ambient conditions, fruits treated with Calcium Nitrate 1% (T 1 ) exhibited the longest shelf life of 5.3 days with a cumulative PLW of 10.80% at day 5. Calcium Nitrate 2% (T 2 ) recorded a shelf life of 4.8 days with 11.20% PLW. Conversely, untreated controls (T 7 and T 8 ) exhibited rapid weight loss (8.40% by day 3) and lost marketability within 3.1 to 3.4 days. Reduced PLW in PLW under calcium nitrate treatments suggests better maintenance of tissue integrity and reduced moisture loss (Kumar et al., 2021). Similar reductions in physiological loss in weight following pre-harvest calcium application have been reported in guava and other fruit crops (Jayachandran et al., 2005; Kumar et al., 2021) [4] .

Conclusion

From the present investigation, it can be concluded that four pre-harvest foliar sprays of Calcium Nitrate @ 1% (T 1 ) applied at 30, 60, 90, and 120 days after fruit set significantly improve yield and storage parameters of fig cv. Phule Rajewadi. This treatment achieved maximum fruit retention (94.23%), higher fruit weight (39.77 g), maximum yield (14.30 kg/tree), lowest physiological loss in weight during ambient storage, and extended shelf life up to 5.3 days. For maximizing fruit firmness at harvest, pre-harvest spray of Calcium Nitrate @ 2% (T 2 ) was found to be superior.

References

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