Extension of Shelf-Life of Cucumber Fruit CV. 22414 using A Cold Storage

Uniform and healthy cucumber fruit of cv.22414 were studied to extend their shelf-life using a cold storage unit i. e. Ecofrost, during 8th to 27th February, 2017. The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of cold storage on the post-harvest management of cucumbers and their post-storage shelf-life at room temperature after being held inside cold storage at 10C and 93 % RH. The results showed that cucumbers kept in cold storage recorded better retention of fruit quality. Firmness was recorded to be very good from 9th to 15th February, good from 15th to 16th February, medium on 18th February, low from 19th to 21st February and very low from 22nd to 27th February, respectively, after the fruits were taken out of cold storage and kept at room conditions. Chilling injury symptoms were not observed inside cold storage. Shrivelling percentage was delayed in fruit taken out early from Ecofrost. Appearance was found to better in fruit taken out early as compared to those taken out later. Average post-storage shelf-life was observed to be 4.1 days for the first five days, 3.3 days for the next five days and 1.67 days for the next 3 days at room temperature.