Preharvest conditions and postharvest treatments affecting the incidence of decay in mango fruits during storage.
Prusky D., Kobiler I., Zauberman G., Fuchs Y., Gat T.
Author Affiliation: Department of Fruit and Vegetable Storage, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, P.O.B. 6, Bet Dagan, Israel.
: 307-320
Abstract : The quiescent infected area (QIA) by Alternaria alternata, the cause of black spot on mango fruit at harvest, was closely related to the number of hours with RH ? 80% during a 52-day-period of fruit development. At least 350 h of RH ? 80% during the fruit-growing period was necessary for significant incidence of disease. A map of average daily maximum RH during fruit growth can be used as a basis for predicting the incidence of black spot in Israel. The presence of antifungal, 5-substituted-resorcinols in fruit peel had been reported to affect the quiescent infection by A. alternata. Treatments with 35% carbon dioxide for 24 hours at 20°C enhanced the level of antifungal compounds and delayed decay development.