A Novel Calcium and Biostimulant elicitors based preharvest treatments reduces postharvest berry rotting and maintains the quality of Grapes cv. Thompson Seedless.

Abstract

The effectiveness of preharvest measures in reducing postharvest losses in table grapes cv. Thompson Seedless was studied by foliar application of four treatments used: T0 (Control), T1 (Biostimulant elicitors based formulation), T2 (Calcium salt), and T3 (combination of Biostimulant and Calcium based formulation) at three spray schedules of (2 days before harvest (DBH), 10 DBH, and 10+2 DBH). The results demonstrated that Treatment T1 showed a significant decrease in berry rotting compared to the control group in both the 2 DBH and 10 DBH groups. The browning of the rachis was significantly reduced by T1 treatment, resulting in maintenance of rachis colour until 8 DAH. The application of T2 at 10 DBH led to a significant drop in berry shattering. In the 2 DBH group, T2 exhibited the highest reductions in berry cracking. In addition, T1 consistently exhibited elevated levels of Total Soluble Sugar showing a significant increase in the 2 DBH group. T1 demonstrated superior efficacy in managing weight loss when applied to plants at 2 DBH. Hence, these findings highlight the capability of Velabs's Biostimulant and calcium-based formulation to effectively address postharvest issues in table grapes via a synergistic approach.