Effect of pre-harvest application of chemicals and pesticide on total soluble solids (TSS) in mango under ambient condition

Abstract

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is the most important crop among the tropical and subtropical fruits grown in more than 90 countries of the world. The mango, because of its great utility, occupies a pre-eminent place among the fruit crops grown in India and is acknowledged as the “King of Fruits” of this country. Mango possesses unique nutritional, medicinal and industrial qualities apart from being a rich source of important nutrients (calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, potassium etc) and vitamins (A and C). It also contains good amount of carbohydrates at different stages of maturity. It is consumed fresh as either green or mature ripe, and processed into numerous products. Among the pre-harvest treatments, the highest levels of soluble solids (19.78 obrix) were recorded in fruits treated with 3% Dehydrated Calcium chloride + 0.1% Carbendazim. The data also revealed that incorporation of Carbendazim in the treatments significantly increased the levels of soluble solids. In comparison with Dehydrated Calcium chloride, the Calcium chloride was found to be less effective in increasing the soluble solids contents in fruits.