Sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a highly perishable, nutrient-rich vegetable, and maintaining its postharvest quality at room temperature is a major challenge. This study evaluated the fruit quality and shelf life of 11 (G1,G2,G3,G4,G5,G6,G7,G8,G9,G10,G11) sweet pepper genotypes stored at ambient storage conditions (24.73±0.21°C, 69.26±0.04% RH) for a period of 27 days. The experiment arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was carried out under laboratory conditions with three replications over period of September 2024 to March 2025. The maximum respiration rate (1723 μmol g-1 s-1), TPC (130.98 mg 100g⁻¹ DW), carotenoids (0.849mg 100g⁻¹DW), and anthocyanin (1.08 mg 100g⁻¹ FW) were recorded in G7, and G10 had the highest chlorophyll b (0.102 mg g-1). Maximum vitamin C (173.46 mg 100g⁻¹ FW), TFC exhibited by G11 higher than other varieties. Significant quality reductions was occurred by day 20. At this stage, G5 retained the highest vitamin C (146.38 mg 100g⁻¹ FW) and DPPH activity (56.74%). G7 had higher retention of TPC (80.97 mg 100g⁻¹ DW), carotenoids (0.627 mg g-1 FW) and anthocyanin (0.22 mg 100g⁻¹ FW); while G9 and G10 were better in retaining the chlorophyll a (0.051 mg g-1 FW) and TFC (93.68 mg 100g⁻¹ DW). G4, G9 and G10 genotypes had longer shelf life (24.67, 25.61 and 26.67 days respectively) retaining the higher overall quality. Conversely, G1 and G2 had a shorter shelf life and poorer nutrient retention, associated with higher respiration rates. Thus, the genotypes G4, G9 and G10 are recommended to store for longer duration( 24-27 days) at room temperature with minimum loss in quality. However, it needs to verify again before being conferring final recommendation.

Keywords: Sweet pepper, Ambient storage, Genotypes, Antioxidant, Shelf-life

The study on the shelf life and economic analysis of broccoli under different fertilizer treatments combinations were carried out both in the field and laboratory of Horticulture Department, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, during 10 October 2007 to 28 February 2008. There were 13 treatments viz. control (no application of fertilizer) (T1), N45P30K50MO0.3(T2), N90P30K50MO0.3(T3), N135P30K50MO0.3(T4), N90P0K50MO0.3(T5), N90P60K50MO0.3(T6), N90P90K50MO0.3(T7), N90P30K0MO0.3(T8), N90P30K25MO0.3(T9), N90P30K75MO0.3(T10), N90P30K50MO0.0(T11), N90P30K50MO0.1(T12), and N90P30K50MO0.5(T13). Cowdung was applied @10 t ha-1 as basal dose in each case. The maximum shelf life (15.05 days) was observed with no application of inorganic fertilizer and kept at 40C in polythene bag wrapping the broccoli curd. The maximum gross return per hectare (Tk. 3, 66, 740 ha-1) and net benefit (Tk. 2, 56, 182 ha-1) were found in T4 (N135P30K50MO0.3) followed by T7 (N90P90K50MO0.3) (Tk. 3,36,380 and 2, 17, 457, respectively) and the minimum values (Tk. 1, 22, 100 and 21,546, respectively) being noted in T1 (control). The highest cost benefit ratio (3.32) was found in T4 (N135P30K50MO 0.3). Considering the yield of broccoli and the benefit cost ratio, nutrient application of N, P, K, and Mo @ 135, 30, 50, and 0.3 kg ha-1, respectively are the optimum doses for growing broccoli in shallow Red-Brown Terrace Soil of Salna series, Gazipur.

Keywords: Shelf life, broccoli, benefit cost ratio, inorganic fertilizers, net benefit