Effect of method of harvesting on storage behaviour of mango.
Singh B. P., Kalra S. K., Tandon D. K.
Author Affiliation: Central Institute of Horticulture for Northern Plains, Lucknow 220?016, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Indian Journal of Horticulture 50 : 5-9
Abstract : Physiologically mature fruits of mango cv. Dashehari were harvested either by hand without a stalk, or by hand harvester with a stalk of ~ 100 mm length. The fruits were packed in wooden boxes, holding 5 kg each, lined with newspaper and stored for up to 10 days under ambient conditions (35 ±2°C, 60-65% RH). The presence of the stalks did not cause any bruising as abscission occurred in ripe fruits after 6 days of storage. Fruits picked using the hand harvester showed a marked reduction in fungal attack, particularly due to stem end rot (Diplodia natalensis [Botryodiplodia theobromae]). The rate of respiration one day after harvest was reduced and the shelf life increased by 2-3 days when fruits were picked with a stalk. The harvesting method had no effect on fruit acidity or total carotenoid content.