Abstract

M.Y. Bhat, Bilal.A. Padder, Imtiyaz A. Wani, F. A. Banday, HafizaAhsan, M.A. Dar and AbidA.Lone

The investigation was undertaken to evaluate improved cultivars on the basis of physico-chemical characteristics in Australian Sweet, Kaisha, Conian Italy, Roundel, Quetta and Charmagz cultivars. Physico-Chemical characteristics of apricot cultivars at harvest revealed that the maximum fruit length can be (37.06) mm and diameter (38.19) mm in cultivar Conian Italy. The shape of the fruit varied from flatish round (Conian Italy and Kaisha) to oval or heart shaped (Australian Sweet, Charmagz, and Roundel). Maximum fruit weight was recorded in cultivar Conian Italy (34.5g) and cultivar Quetta recorded the minimum fruit weight (24.00g). Maximum fruit volume (33.82cm3) was recorded in cultivar Conian Italy. Maximum fruit density (1.04g/cm2 ) was recorded in cultivar Quetta. Fruit firmness differed significantly and maximum fruit firmness (3.11lbs/sq inch) was recorded in cultivar Roundel followed by Charmagz (2.62lbs/sq inch). Fruit skin colour score of (6.00pt) orange was recorded in cultivar Quetta followed by Kaisha (5.00pt) light orange. Maximum organoleptic rating of (9.00pt) excellent was recorded in cultivar Charmagz. Maximum TSS (21.80%) was recorded in cultivar Charmagz and minimum was recorded in cultivar Quetta. Maximum fruit acidity (1.92%) was recorded in cultivar Conian Italy and minimum was recorded in cultivar Australian Sweet (0.39%). Maximum TSS/acid ratio (83.85) was recorded in cultivar Charmagz. Maximum ascorbic acid content was recorded in cultivar Australian Sweet (17.00mg/100g). Maximum content of reducing, nonproducing and total sugars’ was recorded in cultivar Quetta (2.96%), Australian Sweet (9.95%) and Charmagz (15.20%) respectively.