PHYSICOCHEMICAL QUALITY PROPERTIES OF PEACH (PRUNUS PERSICA L.) VARIETIES AT HOLETA, ETHIOPIA

Holeta has different peach fruit varieties that can be used for various purposes. However, their fruit quality characteristics were not fully identified. Studies have indicated that the physicochemical qualities of peach fruits are influenced by a number of factors, with the varietal factor being one of the most important. Limited information regarding the factors that affect these qualities is available in the country, specifically at Holeta. Therefore, this study was initiated to evaluate the physicochemical quality properties of peach fruit varieties. Their physical quality traits, such as fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit shape index, and average fruit weight, as well as chemical quality parameters, such as TSS, specific gravity, TA, ripening index, ascorbic acid content, and pH, were evaluated. The results revealed that both physical and chemical quality parameters were significantly affected by varietal factors. Among cultivars, 'Bonny Gold' had the longest fruit length, and 'Florida Down' had the largest fruit diameter. As far as average fruit weight is concerned, 88-18 W had the highest weight with 111.98 g, while Transvalia had the highest TSS and specific gravity. However, the 'Summer Sun' and 9A-35C varieties had the highest TA and ripening index, respectively. Thus, the physicochemical quality properties of the fruit were highly altered with peach varieties.