Physiological responses of mangoes cv. Kensington Pride to gamma irradiation treatment as affected by fruit maturity and ripeness.
Boag T. S., Johnson G. I., Izard M., Murray C., Fitzsimmons K. C.
Author Affiliation: Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Hamilton, Qld 4007, Australia.
Annals of Applied Biology 116 : 177-187
Abstract : Gamma irradiation (average dose 750 Gy) of preclimacteric mangoes increased fruit respiration immediately after treatment, delayed the time required to attain the climacteric respiratory peak and reduced the magnitude of this peak rate. Fruit softening was unaffected whereas skin colour development was strongly inhibited by irradiation treatment. Inhibition of skin degreening (over the range 100-1200 Gy) was half-maximal at a dose of 200 Gy. Exposure to ethylene failed to reverse this inhibition. Less mature fruits were most strongly affected by irradiation; fruits which were partially ripe and in their climacteric rise when treated were largely unaffected. The results are discussed in terms of the utility of irradiation technology for commercial disinfestation.