Determination of optimum maturity index of mango fruits (Mangifera indica, L.) in Darfur.
Ahmed O. K., Ahmed S. E. T.
Author Affiliation: Department of Horticulture, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan.
Agriculture and Biology Journal of North America 5 : 97-103
Abstract : Mangoes produced in Darfur, Sudan are either sold locally at low prices or lost due to poor transportation and storage facilities. Harvest maturity of 'Kitchiner', 'Alphonse' and 'Dibsha' mango (Mangifera indica, L.) cultivars grown in Darfur were studied to reduce such losses. Optimum date for harvesting was determined to extend the postharvest life. Fruit weight, specific gravity, titratable acidity, pH, total soluble solids (TSS) and the number of days from flowering to maturity were studied to fix some maturity indices. Titratable acidity, pH, TSS and number of days for ripening were found suitable maturity indices for harvesting. Fruit weight was cultivar dependent and could be used for harvesting 'Dibsha' and 'Alphonse' only. Specific gravity showed no positive trend as a maturity index. Interactions of maturity indices indicated that the optimum date for harvesting 'Kitchiner', 'Alphonse' and 'Dibsha' were 15 and 16, 16 and 17 weeks after flowering, respectively.