Development of Postharvest Technology for banana cv Embul (Mysore, ABB) as a Fresh Export Product in Sri Lanka
K.S. Hirimburegama W.K. Hirimburegama M. Farhad and s. Rathnayake
Program and Abstract. Australasian Postharvest Horticulture Conference. Royal Lakeside Novote., Rotorua, New Zealand. 27-30 September 2005. July 5-10, 2005. Page40
2005
บทคัดย่อ
Development of Postharvest Technology for banana cv Embul (Mysore, ABB) as a Fresh Export Product in Sri Lanka
Among 28 varieties of banana cultivated in Sri Lanka, most popular is the Embul (myaore, AAB) cultivar. Limited exports have shown a treamendous potential for it in global markets. However, lack of high quality fruits in required quantities and continuous supply with proper postharvest technologies have hindered its export. Therefore uniform high Quality planting material were selected. Micropropagated and introduced to selected growing areas resulting in improved production and quality. As Embul banana has a thinner skin and a smaller fruit compared toCavendish cultivars for which post harvest technologies are well established, experiments were conducted to understand the effect of maturity stage at harvest , time of the day at harvest, clustering of the bunch , cleaning procedures , number of combs per box and temperature during transport on the keeping quality. Bunches harvested at 75, 80 and 85 days after flowering retained optimal quality during transport. Use of hands with 5-6 fingers, washing and packing in 46 cm x 30 cm x(H) 18 cm card board boxes lined with polythene and transport at 14ºC were the most suitable conditions for export within 4-5 days. Experiments are being repeated to perfect the technology for the Embul cultivar.