Effect of post-harvest treatments on physiological loss in weight and fungal spoilage of Langra mangoes (Mangifera Indica L.) during storage

Abstract

The effect of calcium salts (calcium nitrate and calcium chloride) and Gibberellic acid on physiological loss in weight (PLW %), spoilage loss (%), economic life (days) and intensity of rotting of fruits during storage of Langra mangoes was studied. The fruits were treated with Ca(NO3)2 at the concentration of 1,2 and 3 per cent, CaCl2 at the concentration of 1,2 and 3 per cent and GA3 at the concentration of 50, 100 and 150 ppm. Untreated fruits served as the control. All treatments exhibited significant reduction in PLW and spoilage loss, increased economic life and delay in the onset of pathogenic invasion. At end of experiment, GA3 100 ppm and Ca(NO3)2 at 2 per cent proved most promising treatment in these regards and were able to restrict the PLW at 17.86and18.33, Spoilage at 12.00 and 12.65 per cent respectively which was recorded 49.87 and 38.76 per cent respectively in case of control. The economic life under these treatments was 15 and 12 days in comparison to 6 days under control. These treatments were also proved excellent in restricting the invasion of pathogen up to 12th day of storage whereas fruits under control were found heavily infected on this day. The microorganism associated with the decay was identified as Aspergillus niger.