Post-Harvest Evaluation Of Cucumber, Brinjal, And Tomato Genotypes In The High Hill Environment Of Lumle, Nepal

The present study was carried out to assess post-harvest losses and quality of cucumber, brinjal, and tomato in ambient conditions at DoAR, Lumle (high hill, 1700-1800 m.a.s.l) during August and September 2022. The experiment was conducted in the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications in cucumber (six genotypes) and brinjal (five genotypes) whereas three replications for tomato (eight varieties and five ripening stages). For cucumber and brinjal, observations were recorded on fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity. Fruit weight was recorded on the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th and 14th day of storage. Rotted fruits were discarded every alternate day. For tomatoes, observations on fruit weight, fruit diameter, fruit height, pericarp thickness, number of locules, juice content, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity were recorded at different ripening stages of tomato fruit. The experimental results revealed that the genotype HRD9 × HRD3 of cucumber had the minimum postharvest losses as no fruits were discarded during the storage. The genotype Mayalu of brinjal had the minimum postharvest losses. In the case of tomato, the genotype 31CV5 was found to have superior postharvest quality.