Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
was as effective as hot-water treatment (Saaiman 1997b).
The exposure to gamma radiations also reduced the decay
incidence in mango (Uthairatanakij
et al
. 2006). The use of
surface coating, which contained maltodextrin, carboxym-
ethylcellulose, propylene glycol and sorbitan esters reduces
the incidence of anthracnose by 70% in stored mangoes
(Diaz-Sobac
et al
. 2000). This comprehensive review
enumerates various options for controlling post-harvest
diseases in mango. The role of heat in post-harvest handling
of mango seems the crux of the system which must be
integrated to achieve dual goals of insect and disease
disinfestation. The successful post-harvest disease man-
agement in mango demands the integration of various
cultural, physical, chemical and biological methods so that
the use of synthetic fungicides can be minimised in favour
of consumer satisfaction and environmental safety.
conventional breeding approaches to regulate fruit ripening
and improve shelf life have not resulted in substantial suc-
cess. Therefore, the development of post-harvest technolo-
gies based on eco-friendly, biologically safe and
nonchemical approaches holds a key towards the sustaina-
ble post-harvest management practices in mango.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We thank Dr D.V. Sudhakar Rao, Indian Institute of
Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bangalore, India for
providing his reprints. We acknowledge the American
Phytopathology Society for permission to reproduce
Figure 6.1 on anthracnose disease cycle in mango.
REFERENCES
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FUTURE RESEARCH
Mango fruit is known for its delicious taste, unique flavour
and nutritional value. The mango industry is expected to
continue present trends in growth and boom further. Due to
the fruit's highly perishable nature, delicate skin, chilling
sensitivity and high disease susceptibility, providing a
consistent supply of high-quality fresh and safe fruit to the
consumer poses a great challenge for post-harvest
biologists and technologists. The adoption of total quality
management systems covering production practices,
harvesting, post-harvest handling, storage, transportation
and distribution can assure the consumer about the fruit
safety aspects. Furthermore, the insect-pests of mango
hinder the wider distribution due to strict quarantine
restrictions imposed by various countries. More research is
still needed to develop nondestructive maturity assessment,
quality evaluation methods and machinery. Controlled
atmosphere storage technology can play a vital role in
the wider distribution of fruit across different continents.
The cultivar-specific information available on the use of
CA/MA in mango is still inconclusive. Maximising the
beneficial effects of CA/MA with the least negative impact
on fruit flavour and quality warrants further research. The
alternative application of CA to achieve insect pest
disinfestation in mango might prove a commercial practice
if approved by the quarantine regulatory authorities.
It seems a promising proposition to eliminate post-harvest
fumigants and heat treatments which otherwise may affect
the consumer health and fruit flavour, respectively. Recent
studies on the post-harvest disease management in mango
through the natural or induced systemic disease resistance
and use of biocontrol agents offer attractive alternatives
to reduce the use of fungicides. The molecular and
