Effects of harvest date, harvest time, and post-harvest management on quantitative and qualitative traits in seedless barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.)

Seedless barberry is a native medicinal shrub that has been cultivated in Iran for more than two centuries. In order to study the effects of harvest dates, harvest times-of-day, drying and harvest methods on quantity and quality of seedless barberry fruits, three separate experiments were conducted in Soorand, Southern Khorasan province, Iran in 2008 and 2010. In the first experiment the effects of different harvest dates (9 September, 1 October, 22 October and 13 November), in the second experiment five harvest times-of-day (07.00, 10.00, 13.00, 16.00 and 19.00 O’clock) at two dates of harvest (16 September and 17 October) and finally in the third study the effect of picking methods (branch cutting and berry picking) and drying methods (sun drying and shade drying) were studied on quantitative and qualitative indices of seedless barberry. Results showed that the highest fresh and dry fruit yields were obtained at the final harvest date (13 November) in the first experiment. Moreover, the brix, pH and anthocyanin fruit content were increased but total titratable acidity was decreased by delaying in harvest date. Qualitative indices of seedless barberry were in maximum values before sunrise, then were decreased until noon and after that were increased until sunset. The maximum and minimum brix values were obtained at 07.00 and 10.00 (12.7% and 9.7%, respectively). In addition, the highest maturity index and anthocyanin fruit content (mg/100 g dry berries) were obtained at 7.00 (3.40 and 128.5, respectively) and the lowest values of these indices were observed at 10.00 (3.03 and 83, respectively). The maximum value of brix (9.8%), total titratable acidity (3.5%), maturity index (2.8) and anthocyanin fruit content (63.5 mg/100 g dry berries) were observed in berry picking method. Moreover, the highest brix value (9.8%), total titratable acidity (3.6%), maturity index (2.7) and anthocyanin fruit content (72.5 mg/100 g dry berries) were obtained in the sun drying method. Generally, results of these experiments showed that berry picking in cool hours during the day and sun drying method are effective ways for improving barberry qualitative indices.

► Berry picking off is effective way for improving of barberry qualitative indices.
► Fruit harvesting in cool temperatures improves barberry quality.
► Sun drying method is the best method for seedless barberry fruit drying.
► The quality and quantity of barberry were improved by delaying in harvesting date.