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Current study was conducted in 2019 at Post Harvest Research Center, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan and Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan to address this problem of strawberry fruit where aloe vera gel coating was applied with different concentrations (0.1%, 1.5% and 2%) at 3°C to determine its possible effects on postharvest fruit quality and to increase the shelf life. Data were recorded on different fruit related parameters like fruit weight loss, fruit shape index, firmness, disease and decay %age, pH, TSS, titrateable acidity, vitamin-c content, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars and total sugars. The results showed that application of 1.5% aloe vera gel significantly increased the shelf life as evidenced by minimum fruit weight loss (5.2%), higher fruit firmness (2.75%), less disease and decay (5.8%). However, TSS (8.16 °Brix), reducing sugars (2.98%), non-reducing sugars (2.59%) and total sugars (5.57%) were found maximum for control. Highest acidity (0.88%) and vitamin C contents (53.46 mg/100g) were found in fruits treated with 2% aloe vera gel. Moreover, lowest pH (4.41) was recorded in fruits coated with 2% aloe vera gel. Results of this study revealed that the potential of using aloe vera gel at 1.5% as a coating material proved to be better to prolong postharvest life as well as to maintain quality of strawberry fruits

A field study was conducted for assessment five different varieties of pomegranate (Tarnab gulabi, NARC-1, NARC-2, Kandhari and Sultan) under subtropical agro-climatic conditions. The investigation was conducted under RCBD (randomized complete block design) with five treatments and three replications. Various morphological (plant height, leaf area), fruit physical (fruit size, fruit weight, seed%, juice % and peel %) and biochemical (TSS, pH, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid contents, total sugars, reducing sugars and non-reducing sugars, total antioxidants and total phenols) parameters were studied. Findings noted were subjected to variance analysis at 5% probability. Wide morph-biochemical variation was observed for most of the examined traits. Results showed that NARC-I showed highest value for fruit weight (224.07g), juice % (34.33%), non-reducing sugars (4.53%), titratable acidity (1.67%) and total antioxidant contents (4.53 DPPH inhibition %age) in juice. Kandhari had maximum seed % (42.67%), peel % (39.23%) and vitamin C (12.13 mg/100ml) contents. Highest plant height (11.23 feet), leaf area (1031.4mm), juice pH (3.43), TSS (19.20 brix), reducing sugars (11.70%) and total phenols (11.70 µg GAE L-1) was observed in Sultan strain. Based on the outcomes of this investigation, it can be concluded that Sultan performed better in terms of vegetative and fruit physical and bio-chemical attributes under subtropical agro-climatic conditions of Faisalabad.

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Present study was performed to identify the genetic make-up of thirteen mid-season mango verities i.e.Zardalu, Banganpali, Taimuria, Saleh Bhai, Badia Muna Syed, Intikhab, Anmole, Bombay Alphanso, Ghulab Khas, Pan, Lahotia, Kachnaliwala, and Jo villagey by applying seventy SSR markers, data collected on genetic diversity estimation bifurcated the varieties into three clusters. cluster 1, enclosed three varieties namely Bombay Alphonso, Intikhab, and Anmole together in genetic resemblance. Similarly, the cluster 2 assembled seven varieties i.e. Jo Village, Taimuria, Zardalu, Bagan Palli, Saleh Bhai, Badia and Munna Syed, making it the larger cluster. Lastly, the genetic similarity of the remaining four varieties such as Pan, Ghulab Khas, Lahotia, and Kachnalwala was found in close proximity. The current study singled out three unique fingerprints amongst the seventy SSRs applied. Baganpali cultivar contained unique fingerprints against primer MiKVR_a010; Gulab khas cultivar showcased unique characters against primer MiKVR_a052 and another distinguished fingerprint was observed in mango cv Baganpali against primerMiKVR_a109. It was an indication that these varieties possessed specific genotypic behavior against applied markers. It is concluded that these varieties can play a significant role in improving the genetic makeup of mango varieties and can divulge useful features for varietal selection in a breeding program.