Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology

Underutilized crops provide essential micro-nutrient and thus able to complement staple foods. The inhibitory effect of floral and fruit development may affect the tuber development. It is logical to assume that large amounts of nitrogen and other essential components are assimilated by the reproductive parts of plant, hence it is important to remove these reproductive parts as well as time of sowing also affect the shelf life and chemical properties of yam bean tubers which form the basis of an experiment on effect of sowing dates and flower pruning on chemical properties and shelf life of Yam bean tubers. An experiment was conducted at Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli during the year 2023-24. Twelve treatments and 3 replications in Factorial Randomized Block Design Planting dates (D) i.e., D₁-1^st week of June, D₂-3^rd week of June, D₃ -1^st week of July, D₄ -3^rd week of July and Interval of reproductive pruning (P) i.e., P₁ – Weekly, P₂ – Fortnightly, P₃ – No pruning. Chemical analysis of the tubers was done to analyse the starch, fiber, dry matter, TSS and shelf life of the tubers from various treatments. Investigation revealed that among the various chemical parameters and shelf life the effect of interaction on starch, fiber, dry matter and shelf life was significant whereas it was non-significant on TSS. The highest starch content was recorded in D₃P₁ (6.81%). The fiber content was analysed highest in D₄P₃ (0.69 %). The highest dry matter content was analysed in D₁P₃ (24.59 %). The highest TSS was recorded in D₁P₁ (6.40 °B) and highest shelf life was recorded in D₁P₁ (36.56 days). Considering its nutritional quality and sustainability in the region it can be an alternative crop with food security, nutritional security as well as economic sustainability [1].