Agricultural Horizons: Research, Technology and Sustainable Development Vol. 5

Sudhakar Seedless grapes are early-maturing and require management strategies that maintain harvest quality and reduce short-term postharvest losses. The present study evaluated the influence of pre-harvest applications of plant growth regulators and selected chemical treatments on yield, berry quality, biochemical characteristics and postharvest behaviour of Sudhakar Seedless grapes (Vitis vinifera L.). The experiment was conducted during 2020–2021 at MRDBS, Nashik, using a randomized block design with four replications. Treatments were applied at the veraison stage, and bunch weight, berry characteristics, yield per vine, total soluble solids, acidity, phenolic constituents and postharvest physiological loss in weight were assessed. Chitosan treatment produced the highest bunch weight of 392.56 g, whereas the highest recorded yield was 14.60 kg per vine under the naphthalene acetic acid treatment. The highest total soluble solids content, 21.02 °Brix, together with the lowest acidity of 0.47%, was recorded for T5 in the bunch and berry quality assessment. Postharvest evaluation on the seventh day showed physiological loss in weight ranging from 7.21% to 10.58%. The lowest recorded physiological loss in weight occurred under the naphthalene acetic acid treatment, while chitosan recorded the lowest proportion of rotten berries at 2.15%. The treatments also produced differences in measured phenol, tannin and flavonoid contents. These results indicate that pre-harvest treatment can influence both harvest quality and short-term postharvest behaviour of Sudhakar Seedless grapes. Further interpretation should consider the individual effects of each treatment and the specific quality attribute being targeted.