Browsing by Author "Hettiarachchi, M. P"

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    Postharvest ripening and respiration of chili
    (University Of Ruhuna, 2004) Chaturani, G. D. G; Wilson, S; Perera, S. V. T; Hettiarachchi, M. P
    Effect o f exogenous ethylene application on postharvest ripening and respiratory pattern o f chilli (Capsicum annum Var.MI-2) harvested at different stages o f maturity was examined. Chillies harvested at mature green and colour break stages were used fo r the ripening study. Pods were allowed to ripen at ambient conditions (32 ± 2 °C and 37% RH) with 0, 100, 200, 300, and 400ppm ethylene concentrations. Observations were made on colour development and weight o f red ripe pods during storage period. Ethylene treatment had no significant effect on colour development o f chilli harvested at both stages o f maturity. Fruits harvested at different stages o f maturity ranging from light green to fu ll red were usedfor the respiration study at 12.2 °C and 83 % RH in a closed system. Respiration rates o f chilli from light green to fu ll red stage ranged between 12.7-24.2 mgCO/kg/h. The rate o f respiration was low at light green stage and increased with maturity reaching a peak (24.2 mgCO/kg/h) at colour break stage. Respiration rate decreased with fru it ripening and increased with development o f full red colour. The internal ethylene concentration o f pods was ranged between 3.2-4.3 ppm. However, there was no ethylene peak observed with the maturity.