Determining Optimum Harvesting Date of Golden Delicious Apples at Jumla, Karnali Province of Nepal

Study was conducted during two consecutive years 2015 and 2016 at the laboratory of Horticultural Research Station, Rajikot, Jumla to determine the optimum harvesting date of ‘Golden Delicious’ apple. Samples were collected from ‘Golden Delicious’ apple tree of 40 years old planted in Gairagaun farm at 2,406 meter above sea level. Fruit samples were taken from four trees as a replication and a total of eight fruits per tree were picked from the branches located at east, west, north and south directions (two fruits per branch). Fruits sample were harvested at weekly intervals started from 19 th August and continued till 23 rd September for 36 days. Total soluble solid (TSS), Titratable acidity (TA), TSS/TA ratio and starch index (SI) were recorded in every sampling date. The results revealed that the variety ‘Golden Delicious’ apple can be harvested from 16 th September and onwards since from that date there was maximum TSS (14.80%), minimum TA (0.37%), and optimum TSS/TA ratio (40.11) and starch index (5.50). Therefore, the appropriate date of harvesting of variety ‘Golden Delicious’ was found to be 16 th September and onwards. Harvesting time should be adjusted for some days in warmer or cooler growing year.