Irradiation in perspective -- the significance for the mango industry.
Brodrick H. T., Thord-Gray R.
Author Affiliation: Atomic Energy Board, Pretoria, South Africa.
Research Report, S.A. Mango Growers' Association : 23-36
Abstract : Progress in the irradiation of mangoes intended for shipment overseas, over the last 7 years, is briefly reviewed. The results are also given of recent trials on the effects of a hot water dip at 55 deg C for 5 min, dipping in heated fungicides (benomyl and iprodione, each at 1000 p.p.m.), irradiation at 0.75 kGy, and ethylene treatment (1000 p.p.m. for 24 h), alone or in various combinations, on disease and insect damage in cold-stored Sensation and Keitt mangoes. Hot water + irradiation gave excellent control of anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides [Glomerella cingulata]) and soft brown rot (Hendersonia creberrima). Treatment with ethylene alone enhanced fruit colour and ripeness, but disease incidence was greater than in fruits receiving other treatments without ethylene. Extending the transit period at 25 deg from 1 to 3 days resulted in riper fruits and greater disease incidence in untreated controls; however, with fruits treated with heated fungicide + irradiation, differential effects of the 2 transit periods were slight. Storing fruits at 4.5 deg for 7-8 days did not affect fruit quality, compared with that of fruits held at 12 deg