INFLUENCE OF ETHEPHON (2-CHOLOROETHYL PHOSPHONIC ACID) PLUS K₂SO₄ ON THE PROCESS OF RIPENING AND INTERNAL BROWNING IN PINEAPPLE (ANANAS COMOSUS (L) MERR. CV MAURITIUS) UNDER COLD STORAGE

Effects of preharvest treatments during 1- 4 weeks before estimated harvest with 5% K2SO4, 5% K₂SO₄ + ethephon (10ppm), and ethephon (50ppm and 100ppm) sprays on ripening and internal browning were studied in "Mauritius" pineapple. At a five percent level of K₂SO₄ + ethephon (100ppm) spray, four weeks before harvest, the fruit quality such as TSS, K content, and flavour increased and the harvest period was shortened by 5-7 days. The time of application, i.e. spraying with K plus ethephon (50-100ppm) 4 weeks before harvest had an influence on the fruit maturity. Thus, interaction between time of application and the levels of concentration of K₂SO₄ + ethephon influenced TSS%, internal browning and harvest period. At 5% K₂SO₄ + ethephon (10ppm) spray four weeks before harvesting fruit size and yield were not affected. However, titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS%) and TSS/TA ratio increased with the application of K plus ethephon (100ppm) spray four weeks before harvest.