Kawsar Ali - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Kawsar Ali

Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science

Wheat cultivation under a dual-purpose (DP) system holds great potential to provide additional fo... more Wheat cultivation under a dual-purpose (DP) system holds great potential to provide additional fodder for livestock with marginal grain reduction. This study explores the potential of wheat as a DP crop for improving both, forage and grain cropping system by finding out optimal sowing dates and cultivars suitable for DP cropping. Field experiments with four cultivars (Saleem-2000, Bathoor-2007, Fakhre Sarhad-99 (FS-99) and Siran-2008), three sowing dates (October 15, October 30 and November 15) and two cutting treatments (cut and no-cut) determines the effects on yield and physiology of wheat. Wheat sown either in mid or end of October resulted in 11% and 8% increase in grain yield while 13% and 9% in biological yield over mid November sowing, respectively. This increase in yield was due to higher grain spike-1 , chlorophyll content, transpiration rate and relative water content. The cultivars Siran-2008 and Saleem-2000 had higher biological and grain yields than other cultivars across cutting and sowing dates treatments. Biological and grain yields were reduced by 4% and 3%, respectively under the DP wheat compared with no-cut treatment, but grains N content was unaffected. Conclusively, DP wheat system (cut treatment) had higher profitability (11.2%) than wheat crop sown only for grain purposes.

Pakistan Journal of Botany, 2019

Despite making great progress in agriculture since after green revolution, Pakistan still needs t... more Despite making great progress in agriculture since after green revolution, Pakistan still needs to increase agricultural production to feed its growing population with its increasing expectations while overcoming the considerable environmental and soil related problems that industrial and agricultural development has brought with it such as air and water pollution and soil acidification. Incorporation of biochar in agriculture field has the potential to be a major factor in maintaining soil fertility and productivity. The present experiments were designed to evaluate the effect of varied organic (biochar and FYM) and inorganic amendments (nitrogen, urea) on the growth and yield of wheat and associated soil properties. Incorporation of biochar in agriculture field has the potential to be a major factor in maintaining soil fertility and productivity. The experiments consisted of three factors namely: (1) Biochar (0, 25 and 50 ton ha-1), (2) FYM (5 and 10 ton ha-1) and (3) nitrogen (60 and 120 kg ha-1). A controlled treatment was included in the experiments. All the treatments were replicated three times in RCB design at New Developmental Farm of the University of Agriculture Peshawar Pakistan during winter 2012-13 and 2013-14. It was found that the use of BC increased wheat grain yield and biological yield by 23% and 17% respectively over non BC plots, while 49% and 31% increase in wheat leaf chlorophyll content and relative water content was measured as a result of BC application in integration with 60 kg N ha-1 as compared to control and sole application of biochar at the rate of 25 ton ha-1. Moreover, application of FYM resulted 16% and 33% increase in wheat grain yield and biological yield over control. Likewise, wheat relative water content, leaf chlorophyll content, thousand grain weight , soil N and soil P content was increase by 17%, 11%, 15%, 8%, 13 and 24% as a result of 10 ton FYM ha-1 over 5 ton FYM ha-1. Similarly, N application at the rate of 120 ton ha-1 improved wheat yield and yield components over control. Soil total N was increased by 8% and 4% over controlled by use of N at the rate of 60 and 120 kg ha-1 in combination with 25 ton BC ha-1 respectively. On the whole, the use of biochar in cereal crop production had shown positive effects on crop growth, yield and soil properties. However, more research is needed to evaluate the effect of lower biochar application rate on soil and crop performance.

International Journal of Chemical Studies, 2021

To study the effect of different weed control practices on weeds and growth of chilies, an experi... more To study the effect of different weed control practices on weeds and growth of chilies, an experiment was carried out at Vegetable Research Farm, Mahrajpur, Department of Horticulture, JNKVV, Jabalpur (M.P.) in the rabi season of 2010-2011. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized block design having there replications, and comprising of sixteen treatments chili variety ''JM-218'' was selected for the experiment and sown in a plot size of 3.0 m x 2.0 m. All the treatments significantly affected the parameters of weed density m-2 , fresh weight biomass, and yield components of chilies such as plant height, number of fruits per plant, red ripe fruit yield and dry fruit yield. Highest weed density of all the weed species, fresh weed biomass were recorded in weedy check plots. Pendimethalin @ 1.5 l/ha + black mulch resulted in the highest plant height (75.3 cm), number of fruits per plant (73.33), yield of red ripe fruit (134.7 q ha-1) and yield of dry fruit (22q ha-1

Pakistan Journal of Weed Science Research, 2009

Although 70% of the earth's surface is covered with water, in many areas, water scarcity appe... more Although 70% of the earth's surface is covered with water, in many areas, water scarcity appeared as a big challenge. It is essential to use water efficiently, rationally, and judiciously in every sector. Comfit Composite Knit Limited (CCKL), a large-scale export oriented knit garments group of companies in Bangladesh, uses huge water in its production and process chain. This group meets most of its water demand which are treated and uplifted from WTP (wastewater treatment plant). Taking water scarcity issue into its account, this group intends to use water perfectly, fruitfully and religiously. To find an optimal and efficient solution for its water consumption, this group initiated several measures and tested their merits and bottlenecks in its labs and in nearby factories. The group finally has come to a solution. Accordingly it implemented modifications in the production lines by incorporating the expert's opinions, keeping all the machineries and equipment as they were ...

Pakistan Journal of Weed Science Research, 2013

Weeds being serious concern to crop production are directly affected by nutrient sources and amou... more Weeds being serious concern to crop production are directly affected by nutrient sources and amount of available nutrients in the soil. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of biochar (BC), Farmyard manure (FYM) and nitrogen levels on the weed infestation in wheat crop. The experiment with three replications and 12 treatments combinations was conducted during winter 2012-13 at New Developmental Farm of the University of Agriculture, Peshawar. A control treatment was included in the experiment. Biochar at the rate of 0, 25 and 50 tons ha -1 was applied to the field a year ago. Two levels of Nitrogen (60 and 120 kg ha -1 ) and two levels of FYM (5 and 10 tons ha -1 ) were applied to the wheat during the experimental year. FYM significantly affected weed density 35 and 70 days after sowing (DAS), weed fresh and dry biomass were higher at higher level of FYM as compared to low level of FYM. Nitrogen and biochar application significantly affected weeds fresh and dry...

Soil Use and Management, 2020

Biochar amendments offer promising potential to improve soil fertility, soil organic carbon (SOC)... more Biochar amendments offer promising potential to improve soil fertility, soil organic carbon (SOC), and crop yields; however, a limited research has explored these benefits of biochar in the arid and semi-arid regions. This two-year field study investigated the effects of Acacia tree biomass-derived biochar, applied at 0 and 10 t ha-1 rates with farmyard manure (FYM) or poultry manure (PM) and mineral phosphorus (P) fertilizer combinations (100 kg P ha-1), on maize (Zea mays L.) productivity, P use efficiency (PUE) and farm profitability. The application of biochar with organic-inorganic P fertilizers significantly increased soil P and SOC contents than the sole organic or inorganic P fertilizers. Addition of biochar and PM as 100% P source resulted in the highest soil P (104% increase over control) and SOC contents (203% higher than control). However, maize productivity and PUE was significantly higher under balanced P fertilization (50% organic + 50% mineral fertilizer) with biochar and the increase was 110, 94, 170% than 100%-FYM, 100%-PM and 100% mineral fertilizer, respectively. Maize productivity and yield correlated significantly positively with soil P and SOC contents These positive effects were possibly due to the ability of biochar to improve soil properties, P availability from organic-inorganic fertilizers and SOC which resulted in higher PUE and maize productivity. Despite of the significant positive relationship of PUE with net economic returns, biochar incorporation with PM and mineral fertilizer combination was economically profitable whereas FYM along biochar was not profitable due to short duration of the field experiments.

Journal of Soils and Sediments, 2020

Purpose Our knowledge of biochar as a tool for soil carbon (C) sequestration and soil quality in ... more Purpose Our knowledge of biochar as a tool for soil carbon (C) sequestration and soil quality in semi-arid regions remains limited in recent years. Moreover, there is a lack of understanding on the comparison between effects of biochar rates on soil organic C (SOC) and nitrogen (N) mineralization in organic C poor soils. Materials and methods Interactive effects of corncob-biochar (B), prepared at 450°C pyrolysis temperature, and wheat straw (W) on soil native and fresh organic matter were investigated in sandy loam alkaline calcareous soil. The corncob-biochar was applied alone and in combination with wheat straw (WB) at rates equivalent to 0 t ha-1 (unamended control), 22.5 t ha-1 (B1, W1, W1B1), and 45 t ha-1 (B2, W2, W2B2). After treatment applications, soils were incubated under laboratory conditions for 61 days and periodic CO 2 evolution rates were measured to calculate the cumulative CO 2 efflux and priming effects. Results and discussion The lowest CO 2 efflux was found in B2 treatment, whereas CO 2 efflux was lower in W1B1 than in W1 treatment. Biochar alone and with wheat straw significantly reduced net C mineralization (NCM) compared to wheat straw only treatments and the effects became stronger as biochar rate increased. This was reflected in data on the priming effect, which also showed that increased biochar rates induced a stronger negative priming (− 87 to − 67%) on SOC. Biochar with wheat straw at both rates enhanced microbial biomass C (MBC) compared to the control, W1, B1, and B2 treatments. However, the W1B1 and W2B2 treatments decreased water-extractable organic C (WEOC) contents compared to W1 and W2. Microbial metabolic quotient (qCO 2) and MBC/TOC ratio increased with biochar rate, suggesting more efficient utilization of labile C by microorganisms at higher biochar rate. Biochar alone and with wheat straw reduced soil mineral nitrogen (N) contents than the control treatment and resulted in net negative N mineralization or net N immobilization. Conclusions Our findings indicate that biochar can reduce decomposition of soil organic matter to facilitate C and N sequestration in low organic C soils. However, our study also suggests the co-application of biochar and organic amendments/residues as labile C source to induce co-metabolism to improve microbial functions and C utilization efficiency in soils that are deficient in organic C.

Field Crops Research, 2016

Declining soil quality is commonplace throughout Southern Asia and sustainable strategies are req... more Declining soil quality is commonplace throughout Southern Asia and sustainable strategies are required to reverse this trend to ensure food security for future generations. One potential solution to halt this decline is the implementation of integrated nutrient management whereby inorganic fertilisers are added together with organic wastes. These organic materials, however, are often quickly broken down in the soil providing only a transitory improvement in soil quality. Biochar, which persists in soil for centuries, may offer a more permanent solution to this problem. To address this, we undertook a 2-year field trial to investigate the interactions of conventional NPK fertilisers with farmyard manure (FYM) and biochar in a maize cropping system. Biochar application to the nutrient poor soil increased maize yields after year one by approximately 20% although the yield increase was lower in the second year (ca. 12.5%). Overall, there was little difference in grain yield between the 25 t ha-1 and the 50 t ha-1 biochar treatments. In terms of soil quality, biochar addition increased levels of soil organic carbon, inorganic N, P and base cations and had no detrimental impact on pH and salinity in this calcareous soil. Overall, this field trial demonstrated the potential of biochar to induce short-term benefits in crop yield and soil quality in maize cropping systems although the long-term benefits remain to be quantified. From a management perspective, we also highlight potential conflicts in biochar availability and use which may limit its adoption by small scale farming systems typical of Southern

Field Crops Research, 2017

Low and declining soil organic matter contents pose a significant threat to soil fertility, crop ... more Low and declining soil organic matter contents pose a significant threat to soil fertility, crop productivity and economic returns in arid and semi-arid agroecosystems. Holistic approaches are required to build and sustain soil organic matter in such soils to enhance nutrient use efficiencies and meet food security. Biochar is emerging as an attractive option for multiple benefits to soil-plant systems and carbon sequestration, especially in low fertility soils. We conducted a two-year maize-wheat rotation field experiments during 2015 and 2016 to test the effects of biochar on crop productivity, soil properties and phosphorous use efficiency (PUE) when applied with organic P sources as either farmyard manure (FYM) or poultry manure (PM) and diammonium phosphate (DAP) chemical fertilizer. Biochar was applied at two rates (0 and 10 t ha −1) whereas percentage of organic-inorganic P sources were 0, 25, 50 and 100% respectively. Biochar and manures were incorporated only once at the start of the field experiments whereas chemical fertilizers were applied during each crop cycle. Analysis of the two-year data revealed that biochar and P sources significantly and positively changed crop and soil quality attributes. Application of biochar significantly increased biological and grain yields of maize and wheat, soil organic carbon (SOC), and available nitrogen (N) and P contents without any negative effects on soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC). Addition of 50% P each from organic (FYM or PM) and chemical fertilizer increased biological and grain yields of maize, however, wheat biological and grain yields were higher with 100% PM or FYM in the presence of biochar. SOC and P contents were the highest when biochar was integrated with 100% P from FYM under maize crop. Biochar enhanced PUE from organic P sources more than the chemical fertilizer for both crops. Grain and biological yields of both crops correlated positively with SOC, soil N and soil P contents. We also found strong correlations between SOC, PUE and harvest index (HI) suggesting the benefits of increasing SOC contents under biochar-related integrated nutrient management practices. Overall results from these field experiments indicate potential of biochar to enhance plant nutrition, crop productivity and soil quality in nutrient poor alkaline calcareous soil under maize-wheat cropping system. Long-term farmers' participatory field experiments, however, are required to extrapolate the potential of biochar integrations into current cereal-based cropping systems of Pakistan. (Vagen et al., 2005; Jones et al., 2013). Combating poverty and hunger of an exponentially growing population is a major challenge of agricultural sector in Pakistan (Ali et al., 2015). There is a need of revising the current agricultural management practices with a view of improving nutrient supply, demand and recycling for better farmer income and soil quality (Delate and Camberdella, 2004; Lal, 2013). Recycling of nutrients from organic sources into the soil is a

Sustainable Agriculture Reviews, 2017

Escalating greenhouse gas emissions are influenced by anthropogenic activities and have taken cli... more Escalating greenhouse gas emissions are influenced by anthropogenic activities and have taken climate change issues to global forums. Pressure on already stressed energy, water provision, and management infrastructure including flood risks has mounted. Soil degradation, alkalinity, wastewater and solids management, trace metals and nutrient deficient drylands lacking water holding capacity have emerged as growing problems for Pakistan’s economy. The increased pH of soils, contaminations of heavy metals, lack of waste treatment technology, unstable soil organic carbon and capacity of soils to exchange ions for the utilization by crop plants especially in dry land agriculture are notorious realities.

Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 2017

Atmospheric Particulate Matter (PM) is considered one of the most critical air pollutants in term... more Atmospheric Particulate Matter (PM) is considered one of the most critical air pollutants in terms of its detrimental health impacts, environmental degradations and visibility. Particles size, their chemical composition and atmospheric levels are important factors for determining their adverse health impacts. In this paper various aspects of PM 2.5 are analysed including PM 2.5 /PM 10 ratios and association with meteorological parameters using data collected from January 2014 to September 2015 in Makkah Saudi Arabia. During the study period, mean PM 2.5 /PM 10 ratio was found to be 0.64, whereas median and maximum ratios were 0.69 and 0.99, respectively. Diurnal, weekly and annual cycles of PM 10 , PM 2.5 and their ratios were analysed, which demonstrated considerable variations during various hours of the day, days of the week and months of the year. PM 2.5 /PM 10 ratios were lower in summer (June and July) and higher in winter (November and December), likewise the ratios were lower during afternoon and higher in the morning and evening. As expected, there was a positive correlation between PM 10 and PM 2.5 (r = 0.51) and both PM 10 and PM 2.5 showed negative association with relative humidity and positive with wind speed and temperature. Furthermore, PM 2.5 /PM 10 ratios were lower (< 0.45) at lower relative humidity (< 16%) and higher (> 0.70) at higher relative humidity (35-90%), indicating a shift towards high PM 2.5 concentrations at higher relative humidity. Polar plots showed lowest ratios at high wind speed (> 3 m s-1) blowing from west and southwest direction in summer, and highest ratios at low wind speed (< 2 m s-1) in winter. Polar plots were successfully applied to show the interaction between various meteorological parameters and PM 2.5 /PM 10 ratios. Further work on source apportionment and receptor modelling of PM is required to help develop air quality index and prepare an effective air quality plan for Makkah.

Journal of Hill Agriculture, 2016

A field experiment was conducted to assess the leaf nutrient content of organically and inorganic... more A field experiment was conducted to assess the leaf nutrient content of organically and inorganically grown banana cv. ‘Jahaji ’(AAA). The treatments included combinations of FYM, neem cake, vermicompost, wood ash and comparison was made with triple green manuring (dhaincha + cowpea + cowpea as intercrop) and biofertilizers. The results revealed inorganically grown banana recorded the highest leaf nitrogen (2.18%), phosphorus (0.33%) as well as potassium (3.30%), compared to organically grown banana. Among the organic treatments, T10 (FYM, neem cake, vermicompost, wood ash+ triple green manuring (dhaincha+cowpea+cowpea as intercrop)+ biofertilizers) recorded the highest values which were statistically at par with Tu (300g N + 100g P + 300g K per plant as inorganic). Hence, considering the positive effects of organic treatments on soil properties in long run treatment T10 considered most effective.

International Journal of Agriculture and Biology

Field experiments were conducted to determine the effect of wheat grain quality under optimal pla... more Field experiments were conducted to determine the effect of wheat grain quality under optimal planting date suitable for dual purpose (DP) system and to compare and find out wheat cultivars with good quality parameters after recovered from cutting at stem elongation stage. The experiments were laid out in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement having three replications during winter

Dual-purpose canola means cutting or grazing the crop and then letting it to re-grow and produce ... more Dual-purpose canola means cutting or grazing the crop and then letting it to re-grow and produce grain with no or little yield penalty similar to dual-purpose cereals. A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of cutting on seed and biomass yields, weed density, fresh and dry biomass of canola at New Developmental Farm of the University of Agriculture, Peshawar during winter 2009-10. The experiment consisted of cutting treatments i.e. cut and no cut was in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Cutting treatments significantly suppressed weed density, weed fresh and dry biomass and seed and biomass yield of canola. Cutting of canola for fodder 70 days after sowing considerably trimmed down weed density and their fresh and dry biomass. Similarly, it also radically decreased seed and biomass yield of canola. It is concluded that canola can be used for both fodder and seed production but at the cost of about 27% yield penalty though weeds are suppressed.. ...

The influence of nitrogen and potassium levels on chillies (Capsicum annuum L.) was evaluated at ... more The influence of nitrogen and potassium levels on chillies (Capsicum annuum L.) was evaluated at Dargai Malakand, Pakistan during the year 2010-11. Plants from nursery were transplanted on ridges in the field with recommended row to row and plant to plant spacing of 60 cm and 30 cm respectively. Different levels of nitrogen (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha

Prevention of weed-crop competition at an early stage plays a very important role. Potato is grow... more Prevention of weed-crop competition at an early stage plays a very important role. Potato is grown abundantly in our country and particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, but due to lack of proper attention potato yield is always very low as compared to the developed countries. Regardless of other factors, weeds are one of the serious obstacles in producing higher yields. In this context, an experiment was designed in which there were a total of nine treatments including eight herbicides and a weedy check for comparison. Metribuzin 70% WP (metribuzin) @ 0.63 kg, Gramoxone 200SL + Dual gold 960EC (gramoxone+s-metolachlor) @ 3.75L+2.5L, Sencor 70WP (metribuzin) @ 0.63 kg, Torrent 50WDG (terbutryn+terbuthylazine) @ 1.75kg, Solanum 500SC (terbutryn+terbuthylazine) @ 1.75L, Dual gold 960EC (s-metolachlor) @ 2.5L, Multiquat 200SL (gramoxone) @ 3.75 L, and Gramoxone 200SL (gramoxone) @ 3.75L ha-1 were the herbicidal treatments that were evaluated. The results revealed that all the herbicides had a significant effect on weed density m-2 and also on tuber yield of potato. Herbicidal treatments significantly reduced the weed population as compared to the control treatments, with 104 weeds m-2. All the treatments resulted in more than 80% mortality of the weeds that infested the field before application of the herbicides. No crop injury was observed in any of the herbicides used in the experiment. The herbicide combination, Gramoxone+Dual gold gave the highest potato tuber yield (15910 kg ha-1) which was 36% higher than the weedy check treatments (10162 kg ha-1). However, it was statistically similar to Gramoxone and Multiquat treatments that resulted in tuber yield of 15288 and 15022 kg ha-1 , with percent increase as 33.53 and 32.35%, respectively. Therefore, Gramoxone+Dual gold was the best treatment in the experiment for effective weed control and profitable tuber yields of potato crop in agro-ecological conditions of Peshawar.

ABSTRACT The influence of different intercropping treatments on yield and yield components of mun... more ABSTRACT The influence of different intercropping treatments on yield and yield components of mungbean was investigated at the New Developmental Farm of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University Peshawar. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications, and comprised of five treatments viz, sole mungbean, maize + 1 row of mungbean simultaneously seeded, intercrop maize + 2 rows of mungbean simultaneously seeded, intercrop maize + 1 row of mungbean delay seeded by 3 weeks, intercrop maize + 2 rows of mungbean delay seeded by 3 weeks. The treatments significantly affected nodules plant-1, nodule dry weight, pods plant-1, number of grains pod-1, thousand grain weight, grain yield and biological yield; though the impact was non-significant on weeds fresh and dry biomass parameters. Highest number of nodules plant-1 (9.87), nodules dry weight (2.10 g), number of pods plant-1 (17.32), number of grains pod-1 (4.23), thousand grain weight ( 39.33 g), biological yield (1654 kg ha-1) and grain yield (525 kg ha-1) of mungbean was recorded in plots where sole mungbean was cultivated as compared to intercropping with maize in all combinations. In conclusion, the sole cultivation of mungbean was the most effective intercropping system in terms of yield and yield components of mungbean crop. Key words: intercropping, legume, maize, mungbean, yield.

Dual-purpose wheat is getting recognition among community in diverse farming systems. Success of ... more Dual-purpose wheat is getting recognition among community in diverse farming systems. Success of the system depends on management decisions regarding appropriate sowing dates, choice of cultivars, harvesting time and stage. A comprehensive understanding of how these factors influence the growth and phenology of dual purpose wheat is needed for comparison of grain only wheat to dual purpose system to feed the ever increasing population under this system. The existing higher yielding varieties (Saleem-2000, Bathoor-2007, Fakhre Sarhad-99, Uqab-2000, Siran-2008, and Ghaznavi-98) of wheat were sown on various planting dates from early to normal (15 th , 30 th October and 14 th November) and were given cut after 70 days of sowing. The experiment was arranged in randomized complete block design having split plot arrangement with three replications. Results of the study indicated that booting, heading and physiological maturity were significantly influenced by planting dates, among the cultivars and cutting imposed 70 days after sowing. Mid October sowing prolonged booting, heading, anthesis, maturity and had long stature plants and higher grain yield than sowing in mid November. Uqab-2000 booted, headed and reached to anthesis and maturity earlier followed by Ghaznavi-98, Bathoor-2007 and Saleem-2000. Uqab-2000 and Siran-2008 had higher grain yield than other cultivars. Booting, heading, anthesis and maturity were significantly delayed in cutting as compared to no cut plots. Wheat varieties Bathoor-2007, Uqab-2000 and Fakhre Sarhad-99 produced taller plants compared to Saleem-2000. It is concluded that early sowing on mid October had prolonged phenological traits and higher yield of wheat with long stature plants than later sowing (15 th November) and variety Fakhre Sarhad-99 unlike Uqab-2000 was late with respect to phenological development. Cutting prior to stem elongation had not delayed the maturity from three days without substantial yield reduction which revealed that wheat can be used as dual purpose crop having valuable additional fodder supply costing no or least reduction in grain yield to fill the fodder gap in the scarcity fodder months on irrigated tracts of Pakistan.

The study was carried out to investigate the influence of harvesting stages and pre-cooling on th... more The study was carried out to investigate the influence of harvesting stages and pre-cooling on the physico-chemical quality characteristics of stored tomato fruit during the years 2008-2009. Tomato fruits of three maturity stages e.g. breaker, yellow and pink were harvested on 30 th June at midday and either left untreated (control) or subjected to precooling treatment. Data was recorded on various physico-chemical quality characteristics after 28 days storage at 12±2°C. Harvesting stages significantly affected the fruit quality parameters. The least weight loss (9.167 %) and reducing sugars (2.93%) were recorded in fruits harvested at yellow mature stage, which also had the highest juice (34.16%) and ascorbic acid content (8.06 mg/100ml). The fruit harvested at breaker stage had the highest firmness (7.833 kg/cm 2), but least juice content (26.66%), TSS (7.91%), fruit pH (3.58) and disease incidence (14.5%), while the highest weight loss (11.167%), fruit pH (4.0) and disease incidence (17.5%) was observed in fruits harvested at pink mature stage. Pre-cooling resulted in significantly lower weight loss, TSS, fruit pH, reducing sugars and disease incidence as well as higher juice content, fruit firmness, nonreducing sugars and ascorbic acid as compared control. The interaction of harvesting stages and pre-cooling revealed that the treatment resulted in significantly higher fruit firmness, ascorbic acid content and lower disease incidence, however it was more effective at the yellow stage of maturity.