Studies on physio-chemical changes during development and maturity in fruits of karonda (Carissa carandas)

Abstract

Karonda (Carissa carandas L.) is an important  minor fruit crop of India. The plants are used as hedge,  orchard and ornamental purposes. The fruits are used for  the preparation of number of products as chutney, pickles,  jam, jelly, beverages, nakal cherry, candy and coloured  wines. The quality of the fresh fruits is the expression of  physio-chemical changes that occur during various phases  of fruit development. Such studies are important in  determining the proper harvesting time. Only meager  information is available on the changes in physical  parameters of developing fruits of Karonda seedlings  (Uthaiah, 1988). But the information on the physiochemical changes in developing fruits of Karonda is  lacking in recently developed varieties. The investigation  was therefore undertaken to find out the physio-chemical  changes occurring during the development of fruits of  Karonda cv. Pant Sudarshan in order to establish the  maturity standard for the harvesting of Karonda fruits  under tarai conditions of Uttarakhand.