Effect of Calcium Chloride treatment on Quality shelf life of Cowpea

摘要

The chill-sensitive Cowpea was subjected to different pre-and postharvest calcium treatments in order to determine an effective means of increasing shelf life, reducing the incidence and severity of rust stains. However, Treatment of postharvest calcium chloride dipping was found to be less effective in reducing the rust stains symptoms. Cowpea trees were foliar sprayed with 0.2% calcium chloride solution, and harvested at the 30-50% stage of maturity. At harvest, treated fruits had lower soluble protein and MDA than control, while no effect on chlorophyll content, and the time required ripening. During low temperature storage, lower levels of decay rate, weight loss, soluble protein, chlorophyll content, POD activity and MDA were found in treated cowpea compared with control. In addition, the storabilUy of treated fruits was extended for up to 15 days more than that of the control and the preharvest treatment prior to postharvest.