International Journal of

Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine

International Journal of
Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine

Vol. 2(1) February 2014

ASSESSMENT OF PERFORMANCE AND COMPETITIVENESS OF SOMALILAND LIVESTOCK SECTOR USING VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS

Jackson N Ombui, Geoffrey E Mogoa and George A Matete

Page No: 1-17

An assessment of the performance and competitiveness of Somaliland livestock sector was done using livestock value chain analysis. Results of the analysis revealed that livestock production involving cattle, sheep, goats and camels is the region’s primary economic activity. Livestock markets and infrastructure exist for both domestic and export trade. Market channels are served by a number of interconnecting primary and secondary markets linked to several production areas. Local markets involve livestock slaughter and marketing of meat to local consumers. Livestock slaughter and marketing of meat suffer constraints that include poor design and hygiene of slaughter facillities and lack of meat inspection services. Export markets involve trade in live animals and raw hides and skins. Trading activities are facilitated by availability of important animal handling facilities in livestock markets. The main players in the sector include pastoralist producers, animal trekkers, livestock traders/exporters, brokers, livestock transporters, slaughterhouses operators, butchers, meat traders, meat transporters and hides skins traders. The Ministry of Livestock Development, Local Authorities, and Somaliland Chamber of Commerce and Industry play a supportive role to the sector. Livestock productivity is affected by occurrence of livestock diseases, scarcity of water and pastures due to recurrent droughts and rangeland degradation, inadequate animal health and veterinary extension services and loss of value along the livestock marketing chain. Productivity can be enhanced by improving fodder production and conservation, water harvesting and provision of animal health extension services. To enhance competitiveness of livestock export, there is need to develop livestock disease testing facilities in livestock markets, as well as strengthen financal services to support livestock exporters. On the other hand, competitiveness of meat marketing can be enhanced by rehabilitation/improvement of slaughter and meat production and marketing facilities and services.

EFFECTS OF ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF MORINGA OLEIFERA SEED ON BLOOD CHEMISTRY AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF FEMALE RABBITS

Musa Azara S I, Jibrin M, Hassan D I and Yakubu A

Page No: 18-21

All parts of moringa tree are being consumed by humans and animals with the secondary metabolite having the potential to affect health. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of Moringa oleifera seed on the blood chemistry and reproductive performance of female Rabbits. Fourty 8 month old Chinchila breed of rabbits were used for the study. The rabbits were randomly assigned into two treatment groups. Does in group 1 serve as control and were given normal drinking water. Animals in group 2 were administered M.oleifera seed powder in drinking water (250 mg/L). The experiment lasted for 4 weeks. The results indicate significantly lower values for packed cell volume, hemoglobin and red blood cells in the treatment group compared to the control (p < 0.05). The values for white blood cells are similar for all groups. Similarly, Mean values of glucose and cholesterol are significantly lower in the treatment groups (p < 0.05). Whereas values for total protein, globulin and albumin are similar for both groups. Findings also indicate significantly lower litter size and higher birth weight in the treatment group, gestation period are however similar for both groups.

IMPACT OF AGE AND GENDER ON SOME BLOOD BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF APPARENTLY HEALTHY SMALL RUMINANTS OF SHEEP AND GOATS IN KASHMIR VALLEY INDIA

Showkat Ahmad Bhat, Manzoor R Mir, Ahmad Arif Reshi, Sheikh Bilal Ahmad, Ishraq Husain, Sumira Bashir and Hilal Musadiq Khan

Page No: 22-27

Sheep is unique to the economy of the Kashmir for its wool, mutton, hides and manure. The typical extensive and trans-human (migratory) manage mental system of domestic animals in Kashmir, especially sheep and goat, gives it a specific significance to be studied. The aim of this study was to carry out a comparative study to investigate the hematological and serum biochemical profile of goat and sheep reared in Kashmir valley India. Seven hundred blood samples (200 goat and 500 sheep) were collected and their blood glucose, hemoglobin and serum biochemical parameters [cholesterol, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)] were determined by using spectrophotometer. Parameters were compared between goat and sheep. It was observed that glucose (P = 0.002), LDH (P = 0.002) and ALT (P = 0.002) concentrations differed significantly between sheep and goats. The studied parameters were compared between buck (male goats) and goats and also between young goats (less than 12 months old) and adults (more than 12 months old). It was found that age and gender did not affect these hematological and serum biochemical parameters. Conclusions: It can be concluded that sheep have overall higher values than goats for studied hematological and serum biochemical parameters

EFFECT OF REPLACEMENT OF MAIZE WITH BAKERY WASTE IN BROILER RATION

Yadav D S, Shrivastava Manish, Singh J P and Mishra A K

Page No: 28-33

The present study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of different level of bakery waste in the broiler ration. The experiment was carried out for 42 days (6 weeks) on 180 broiler chicks. Up to 3 weeks of age there was no significant difference in body weight gain of different treatment groups. However from 4th to 6th week the gain in body weight in the group maintained on diet, in which 60% maize was replace by bakery waste was significantly lower as compare to basal diet 20% replacement and and 40% replacement. The gain in these three groups was comparable. During 1st, 3rd and 4th week the FCR in T1, T2 T3 was significantly better than T4 group. From 4th to 6th week of age, FCR of basal diet was significantly better than the other groups. The FCR for birds feed with 20% and 40% replaced diet was significantly better than the birds feed on 60% replaced diet. The replacement of maize with bakery waste has resulted to lower margin of profit markedly in T4 group. However in T2 and T3 these was no significant difference therefore it can be concluded that 20% to 40% maize can be replaced without any adverse effect on economy however the percentage of replacement may be decided looking to the cost of maize and its availability.

USE OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN HORTICULTURE: A REVIEW

Gurteg Singh and H S Rattanpa

Page No: 34-42

The development of nanotechnology creates an excellent opportunity to address complex technical issues of food supply chain. Failure to embrace nanotechnology will deny the horticultural sector an opportunity to capitalize on improved product visibility, food safety, quality and security and associated economic benefits. Agricultural and food supply chain management is complex due to the diverse characteristics of agricultural products. There are numerous types of horticultural crops and products, many of which are perishable. In addition, the degree of standardization of some kinds of fruit products and their management is still low. In this regard, the potential application of nanotechnology to the horticulture is reviewed. Investigation confirms that incremental application of nanotechnology in the horticulture, first in the fruit packaging and later in other areas such as tracking, tracing, storage and distribution, is occurring. Currently, most nanotechnology applications in the agricultural supply chain are concentrated in packaging, mainly in the improvement of packaging materials for product security, quality and safety. From the point of view of the supply chain, the logical extension is the application of intelligent packaging based on nano-sensors with a view to promoting information and management across all elements of an agricultural supply chain. Compared with traditional sensors and their shortcomings, nano-sensors have several advantageous properties, such as high sensitivity and selectivity, near real-time detection, low cost and portability. However, the economics of nanotechnology application in the agricultural supply chain is no more different to the application of other new technologies.

PERFORMANCE OF GROWER PIGS FED LOW COST FARM-GATE EXPERIMENTAL DIETS

Otoikhian C S O

Page No: 43-46

The feeding trial was designed to assess the performance of growing pigs (Hog, Boar, Gilt) fed with experimental diet. A total of ninety growing comprising off log, female and intact male respectively was offered each of the five treatment diet weekly. The experimental diet consist of cassava, palm kernel cake, waste corn flakes, soya bean meal, brewers dried grain Bone meal, premix and salt. Data was collected on weight gain, body weight, and feed intake, mortality rate. Data generated subjected to the Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and significantly difference means Separated by Duncan multiple test as stated by steel and Torrie (1960).

GENERATION AND EFFICIENT USE ELECTRICITY IN DAIRY INDUSTRY

Anil R Chaudhari, Janak B Upadhyay and Kanchan V Mogha

Page No: 47-53

Dairy industry is one of the most growing industries in today’s world. We all know that the main thing require to run dairy industry is the farmers, i.e., village co-operatives milk society but here there is one another thing which is the most important thing to run a dairy industry and, i.e, electricity. The use of electricity is seen from the initial stage of milking by milking machine to the final product reached to the consumer by maintaining the cold chain. Electricity is a non renewable source of energy so we should use this energy efficiently so that we can save it for our future generations. So in this review we have tried to focus how this electricity is generated and how it should be used efficiently in dairy industry.

PREVALENCE AND INTENSITY OF STRONGYLES IN BUFFALOES AT NIMAR REGION OF M.P.

Nirmala Jamra, Giridhari Das, Manjurul Haque and Priyanka Singh

Page No: 54-57

A total of 687 faecal samples of buffalo were screened for the prevalence and intensity (egg per gram of faeces) of strongyle eggs. The samples positive for strongyle were subjected to coproculture to recover and identify third stage larvae. The overall prevalence and intensity of were 15.57% and 277.52 ± 32.53, respectively. The highest intensity of infection was recorded in November (422.73 ± 49.71) and the lowest intensity was in January (127.27 ± 24.65). On coproculture four different genera of strongyle species viz. Haemonchus spp., Trichostrongylus spp., Bunostomum spp. and Oesophagostomum spp. were identified. Haemonchus spp. was the predominant strongyle in both summer and winter season followed by Trichostrongylus spp., Oesophagostomum spp. and Bunostomum sp.

ECONOMIC BENEFIT FROM GROWER PIGS FED LOW COST FARM-GATE EXPERIMENTAL DIETS

Otoikhian C S O and Jegbefumwen K

Page No: 58-63

An experiment was carried out to investigate the cost benefits analysis of raising different categories of pigs (intact male, female, Hog (castrated male) fed with typical commercial diets. A total of Ninety growing pigs comprising of 30 Hog, intact male and female respectively were offered the treatment diets for five weeks. The treatment diet was consisted of cassava kernel cake, soya bean meal, brewers dried grain, bone meal, premix and salt. Parameters were collected on average weekly weight gain, Average body weight, average weekly intake, cost of feed consumed, cost of feed per kg gain, production cost per pig, income per pig and profit per pig. There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in average weekly weight gain and average feed intake as the week increases among the experimental animals. While average body weight was however not significant (P > 0.05) among the treatment units. The cost analysis of the feed showed that Hog had the highest weight gain, and was the cheapest of all the diet utilized by the pigs to gain a kg body weight and had the highest income/pigs and profit/pg of N2,025 and N1,337.8 the female at N1,250 and N6,77.7 and intact male N1,125.0 and N420.7 respectively.

EFFECT OF THE FED SHATAVARI (ASPARAGUS RACEMOSUS) ON BODY WEIGHT AND PUBERTY OF SAHIWAL HEIFERS

Mohabbat Singh Jamara, R K Mehla, Mahendra Singh, M M Ali and Nirmala Chouhan

Page No: 64-67

To investigate the effect of sharavari on growth and puberty, sixteen Sahiwal heifers was selected from the institute herd. The treatment group sahiwal heifers were fed Shatavari @150 mg/kg BW/day once in morning. The fortnightly body weight, dry matter intake and blood samples from each animal were collected. In plasma samples Growth Hormone (GH) and cortisol was estimated. The body weight of the heifers varied (P<0.05) between the group due to more feed intake (P < 0.05) and increase in plasma GH levels (P < 0.05). The incidence of puberty and age at first service was achieved earlier in the treatment group in comparison to control suggesting that shatavari could be fed to augment growth and puberty in sahiwal heifers.

ANALYSIS OF SHEEP AND GOATS MARKETING IN SOKOTO METROPOLIS, SOKOTO STATE, NIGERIA

M A Maikasuwa and Jabo M S M

Page No: 68-74

The study examined the nature of sheep and goats marketing by determining the marketing margins, efficiencies and structures of sheep and goats marketing in Sokoto metropolis. Kara Market was purposively selected for the study. The selection of kara market was based on the high concentration of sheep and goat marketers in the market. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 10% of the registered sheep and goats marketers giving a total of 81 respondents who were used for the study. A structured questionnaire was use to collect relevant information from the selected marketers. Data analyses were done using descriptive statistics, farm budgeting, measures of performance and Gini-coefficient. Results of the study showed that sheep marketers were faced with higher cost per head (N16, 637.04) and they obtained higher net profit per head (N5, 704.6). While goat marketing was faced with higher cost of marketing (N1, 261.29), on the one hand, it attracted higher marketing margin (N4, 6.60) and higher marketing efficiency (1.46), than the sheep. Although the two markets were oligopolistic in nature, Sheep market was found to be more concentrated (0.56) than goat market (0.49). Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that both sheep and goat marketing were profitable. However, while sheep marketing was more lucrative in terms of business turnover than goat, goat marketing was more stable and had more capacity to respond to competition in the market.

RUMEN DEGRADATION CHARACTERISTICS OF MULTINUTRIENT BLOCKS IN SEMI-ARID REGION OF NIGERIA

A I Zarah, I D Mohammed and F I Abbator

Page No: 75-81

An investigation was carried out on eleven different multinutrient blocks in the semi-arid region of Nigeria. Three crossbred steers fitted with permanent rumen cannula were used to evaluate the nutritional value of multinutrient blocks using the nylon bag techniques. A randomized design was employed to determine the ruminal degradability of multinutrients and their effect on rumen ecology. Approximately 5 g of the feed sample were weighed into duplicated nylon bags (45 μ pore size) and incubated ruminally at 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h-post feeding. The results showed that the mean values of the ruminal temperature (38.7 °C) and pH (6.6) were not different (p > 0.05) among different incubation. All the multinutrient blocks recorded above 59% DM degradability at 48 h period of incubation. The mean values for the potential degradation of the multinutrients were generally high and ranged from 83.2% to 95.8%. It was concluded that inclusion of multinutrients in the diet of ruminants result in a significant improvement in DM degradation in the rumen.

CONGENITAL EVENTERATION OF VISCERAREPORT OF THREE CALVES

Sumiran N and Suresh Kumar R V

Page No: 82-84

Three calves of age 1 hr-1 day old were presented to the department of veterinary surgery and radiology with the history of sac like structure enclosing intestines at birth which was later ruptured exposing protruded abdominal contents. Calves were also suffering from difficulty in defeacation and urination. Clinical examination revealed slow heart rate and respiratory rate. Rectal temperature was subnormal. Surgical intervention was planned to correct the condition and to reposition the organs into abdominal cavity. The present report deals with management of congenital eventeration in three calves.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AFFECTING REPRODUCTIVE TRAITS IN COWS ON ALGERIAN SMALLHOLDER FARMS

Semara L, Mouffok C, Madani T, Radi F and Rezig N

Page No: 85-95

The present study aims to investigate the variability of reproductive performance recorded by dairy cows reared in smallholders’ farms in the semi-arid region of Algeria. This survey aims also to assess performance and identify difference related to farm structure, the functioning of livestock farming systems and practices of reproductive conduct and food management. In this regard, a retrospective survey conducted among a sample of 24 farms selected on the basis of a prior diagnosis of farming systems. This study evaluates therefore data reproduction for 170 cows by analysis of variance (factorial design without interaction), general linear model procedure. The results show that the performance recorded, 69, 82 and 351 days on interval between previous calving and first service, conception and the next calving respectively, are substantially better compared to those recorded in the large public farms of this region and very close to those observed in temperate countries. The structure of farms and livestock farming system adopted has no effect on express of cows reproductive performances (p < 0.05). However, food resources and their management modulate significantly the resumption of reproductive function and conception (p < 0.05). Differences recorded were between 15 to 30 days interval favors farms with high quality forage resource complemented by medium amount of concentrate.

PRE-HARVEST TREATMENTS OF BRASSINOSTEROIDS ON IMPROVING QUALITY OF TABLE GRAPES (Vitis vinifera L.) CV. FLAME SEEDLESS

W A Harindra Champa, M I S Gill, B V C Mahajan and N K Arora

Page No: 96-104

Potential of brassinosteroids (BRs) as a preharvest treatment on hastening maturity and improving berry quality of table grape cv. Flame Seedless was investigated during two consecutive crop seasons of 2012 and 2013. The study was performed on 12-year old own rooted, Flame Seedless grapevines planted at 3 m x 3 m spacing trained on overhead system. Vines were treated with aqueous solutions of BRs (0.0, 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mg l-1) at 2 weeks after fruit set, and at colour break stage. At commercial maturity, clusters were harvested and physico chemical properties were analysed. Clusters treated with 1 mg l-1 BRs attained veraison 3 days earlier and significant increase in cluster and berry weight, length and breadth was observed when vines were sprayed with 0.5 and 1.0 mg l-1 BRs. All three concentrations of BRs increased berry firmness while the highest firmness was observed in berries received 0.5 mg l-1 BRs. BRs treatment significantly affected peel colour of grape berries in which, significantly lower luminosity (L*) and b* value along with higher a* value was observed in berries treated with 1.0 mg l-1 BRs. Total Anthocyanin Content (TAC) and Total Phenol Content (TPC) were affected significantly in dose dependent manner, in which the highest dose (1.0 mg l-1) displayed the highest TAC and TPC. In conclusion, BRs at the dose of 1.0 mg l-1 could be an effective treatment to improve quality of grapes cv. Flame Seedless.

EVALUATION OF EUSTOMA/LISIANTHUS CULTIVARS FOR ASSESSING THEIR SUITABILITY AS PROMINENT NEW CUT FLOWER CROP UNDER MID HILL CONDITIONS OF H.P.

J S Wazir

Page No: 105-110

Lisianthus/Eustoma has emerged as one of the top ten cut flower crops in international flower trade during the past few years. It is a prominent cut flower from Japan where it has been in cultivation since 1960. The main reason behind its growing popularity is the range of varieties available as different series with vast charming colour shades, flower shapes, suited for growing under varying agro climatic conditions, having a good vase life. Studies carried out at H.R.S & T. Kandaghat and on the farmers’ fields with Echo Double series, Roshita series and Flamenco series from Sakata Seeds, Japan and 10 new double flowering cultivars from Miyoshi Seeds, Japan during 2010-2012 have indicated that pelleted seed sowing of Lisianthus was basically done in conventional germination media containing sieved soil, FYM, leaf mould, coco peat and sand in 98 cavity plastic plug trays. The initial germination percentage obtained was 90% but the final seedling survival was only 68 percent. Final transplanting of seedlings was done after 65- 80 days of sowing. Responses obtained from growers have indicated that Lisianthus took approximately 6 months to come into full bloom under mid hill conditions. April sown seed resulted in flowering stems after 150-185 days of sowing in September, followed by a second flush in October- November. Sakata cvs. Echo double having various colour shades and Roshita pink produced comparatively smaller and thin stems when compared to all the Miyoshi cultivars. Cultivars brought from Miyoshi seeds were much better because of the attractive colour shades and good stem length due to their recent breeding origin. Cultivars Art Marine, Bolero Blue Picottee, Gavotte Yellow, Purple Flamingo and Bolero white from Miyoshi seeds have been liked by the Indian customers after the feedback received from the producers and the sellers and thus are recommended for commercial growing in mid hill areas as spring to autumn crop.

MILK YIELD AND MILK FLOW TRAITS IN MURRAH BUFFALOES AS INFLUENCED BY METHOD OF MILKING

R M V Prasad and P Jaya Laxmi

Page No: 111-115

A total of 200 Murrah buffaloes were utilized for the study with 100 buffaloes in each group of machine and hand milking. The milk yield and milk flow parameters were recorded in both machine milked and hand milked groups during the evening milking. The average milk yield in machine milked buffaloes (3.62 ± 0.08 kg) was higher when compared to hand milked buffaloes (3.51 ± 0.08 kg) but the difference was not significant. The fat percent in the hand milked buffaloes (6.57 ± 0.09) was significantly higher than that of machine milked buffaloes (6.01 ± 0.081) while the SNF % was more in the milk obtained through machine. The average total milking time in case of machine milking was significantly (P < 0.05) less than that of hand milking (5.32 vs 5.60 min) while the average letting down time was almost similar in both the groups. The stripping time was higher in hand milking (1.30 min) while the strip yield (0.24 ± 0.01 kg) and average flow rate (0.68 ± 0.01 kg/min) were higher in machine milking. The correlations of milk yield with all the milk flow traits viz., milk let down time, milking time, stripping time, total milking time, strip yield and the average flow rate were significantly positive.

MANAGEMENT OF APHID PESTS BY USING ORGANIC INPUTS IN ORGANICALLY GROWN CROPS

Surender Kumar Sharma, Punam, J P Saini and Sanjay Chadha

Page No: 116-121

Organic agriculture means keeping aside the use of synthetic pesticides and seeking the safe, effective and economical organic alternatives for plant protection. Lipaphis erysimi Kalt. cause over 90% losses in mustard, almost complete loss of capsicum due to green peach aphid, Myzus persicae Sulzer and mild infestation of Aphis craccivora Koch and Aphis gossypi Clover in okra + cowpea, respectively has been recorded under organic conditions. Keeping in view, a study was carried out during the years 2011 and 2012 in Organic Farm of Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur to evaluate the efficacy of organic inputs against aphids. Field aphid population were counted a day before and after 7 days of spray from 5 cm apical twig of each crop while in laboratory dead insect counts on treated leaf discs were taken. For mustard aphid 10% aqueous leaf extract of Polygonum hydropiper followed by panchgavya 10%; dashparni 5% and P. hydropiper 10% against M. persicae in capsicum and.a module containing soil treatment with panchgavya 10% followed by sprays at 10 day interval, respectively of neem oil, panchgavya and Lantana camara against cowpea and okra aphid were found significantly effective aphidicides.

EFFECT OF NAA AND IBA ON ROOTING OF CAMELLIA CUTTINGS

J S Wazir

Page No: 122-126

Camellia japonica, an excellent flowering shrub for sub temperate and temperate areas, is somewhat difficult to propagate from cuttings since it is difficult to root and takes longer time for rooting. Keeping in mind its high cost and ever increasing demand in hilly areas of Uttarakhand, J&K and Himachal Pradesh, an attempt was made to propagate it from cuttings. Three types of cuttings viz., current season’s growth (Softwood), semi-hardwood (one year old) and hardwood were prepared and dipped in 250 and 500 ppm NAA and 500 and 1000 ppm IBA for 5 minutes before planting in pre-packed moist mixture of sharp river sand in propagation chamber at RHR & TS Mashobra-Shimla during second fortnight of July 2012. A relative humidity of 85-95% was maintained during whole period of studies through manual misting with no temperature control under light intensity range of 2500-3500 foot candles from the month of July to October. Observations on different rooting parameters were recorded and data analysed. Among different concentrations of chemicals used, 1000 ppm IBA was found most effective in producing the desirable results But the type of cutting has no effect on the parameters recorded.

URETHROTOMY IN A POMERANIAN—A CASE REPORT

Rai Somil, Chandrapuria V P and Singh Surendra

Page No: 127-129

In the present case urethrotomy procedure is described for correction of the chronic urinary incontinence, patient stabilization considerations, general postoperative management, and risk of complications.

EFFECT OF POST-HARVEST TREATMENT OF ASCORBIC ACID ON SHELF LIFE AND QUALITY OF GUAVA (Psidium guajava L.) CV. ALLAHABAD SAFEDA

Karan Bir Singh Gill, H S Dhaliwal and B V C Mahajan

Page No: 130-141

Guava is an important fruit crop of Punjab state of India and is quite popular among fruit growers due to its yield and quality attributes. It bears profuse crop during winter season but the fruit has short shelf life and uneven ripening pattern. The influenceof post-harvest treatment of ascorbic acid on storage life and quality attributes of winter guava cv. ‘Allahabad Safeda’ was investigated during two seasons (2011-12 and 2012-13). Fruits were harvested during third week of December at the firm mature stage and treated with ascorbic acid (25, 50, 100 ppm) as dip treatment for 5 minutes. Treated and untreated (control) fruits (2 kg/replication) were packed in ventilated Corrugated Fibre Board (CFB) boxes and stored in walk-in-cold room maintained at 6-8 °C and 90-95% RH. The fruits were analysed at weekly intervals up to 35 days of storage for various quality attributes. In untreated fruits, physiological loss in weight, decay incidence in fruits increased, whereas, firmness, ascorbic acid, acidity, total phenols and pectin content decreased continuously during the storage. Among the ascorbic acid treatments 100 ppm treated fruits recorded minimum weight and firmness loss, lower decay incidence and pectin methylesterase activity, higher TSS, acidity, pectin, phenol contents, and maintained highly acceptable organoleptic rating upto 21 days of cold storage. The data revealed that ascorbic acid (100 ppm) proved to be the most effective treatment in enhancing the storage life of guava fruits for three weeks as compared to control fruits which showed storage life of fruits only upto two weeks.