EFFECT OF FARMER PRACTICES OF POSTHARVEST HANDLING ON QUALITY OF MAURITIUS PINEAPPLE (Ananas comosus).

Abstract

Pineapple is a highly demanding fruit in Sri Lanka. The quality of pineapple at the market is lower than the inherent quality of the variety. This may be due to poor postharvest handling practices adapted by growers and traders. Pineapple quality depends on the interaction of several factors in the production line. In this study there are results of a survey of twenty five pineapple growers in Gampaha district and describes their postharvest handling practices and also recommended practices including stage of maturity at harvest, method of harvesting, method of ripening, method of transport and special handling practices. This report also consists of the results of. quality comparison between market sample and the recommended practice sample. Considered quality parameters were Total soluble solids,Titratable acidity, pH, Sensory evaluation, Visual quality rating and Disease incidence. It was found that recommendations are not always applied. Pineapples are harvested at different periods in relationship to the ultimate market. A significantly higher quality was observed in pineapple harvested following recommended practice while farmer practices which lead inferior quality at market.