Storage behaviour of dates [Phoenix dactylifera L.] harvested at different maturity stages

ABSTRACT

Fruits of twelve cultivars viz., Jagool, Khadrwi, Medjool, Shamran. Halawy, Barhee, Khunezi, Khalas, Zahidi, Sayer, Hatemi and Nangal of datepalm [Phoenix dactylifera L.] were harvested at 'Gandora' [Kimri], 'Doka' [Khalal] and 'Dang' [Rutab] stages of maturity and studied for shelf life and physico-chemical changes during storage at ambient temperature under semi-arid agroclimatic conditions of Rajasthan during 1998-1999 and 1999-2000. 'Doka' [Khalal] stage of maturity was found most efficient in retaining its physiological loss in weight, with appropriate ascorbic acid, TSS and total sugar content during storage. The fruits of all the cultivars harvested at this stage of maturity accepted preferably for fresh consumption with highest, organoleptic score on day 6 of storage