Studies on hydrocooling in Kesar mango (Mangifera indica L.).
Kapse B. M., Katrodia J. S.
Author Affiliation: Postharvest Technological Institute, M.S. Agricultural Marketing Board, Plot No. R-7, Gultekadi Market Yard, Pune 411?037, Maharashtra, India.
: 707-717
Abstract : Kesar mango fruits were harvested at a suitable maturity stage from an orchard in Navsari, Gujarat, India. The fruits were hydrocooled at 8, 12 or 16°C two hours after harvest until the centre of the fruit near the stone reached the desired temperature. Treated fruits were immediately transported 1150 km to New Delhi by truck, and were stored at ambient temperatures. Fruits precooled at 8° showed chilling injury and did not ripen properly. The fruit quality at ripening was similar with respect to total soluble solids in the other precooling treatments. Significantly lower weight loss and firmer fruits were obtained when fruits were precooled at 12° compared with fruits precooled at 16° or the controls. Stem end rot (caused by Botryodiplodia theobromae) and anthracnose (caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides [Glomerella cingulata]) did not occur for up to 13 days of storage when fruits were precooled, and fruits had higher disease reduction indexes until the end of the storage period. The longest shelf life (14.3 days) occurred in fruits precooled at 12°, followed by those precooled at 16° (12.3 days) and the controls (10.2 days). Fungicide dips of carbendazim (as Bavistin, 1000 ppm) or mancozeb (as Dithane M-45, 2000 ppm) given immediately after precooling reduced percentage weight loss and increased shelf life further.