The relationship between pre-harvest treatments on the post-harvest quality and shelf life of improved Mango(Mangifera indica) cultivars
Date
2015-11-11
Authors
Chilembo, S. Danny
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Abstract
A study was conducted at the University of Zambia farm, Liempe, during the 2001/2002 agricultural season to determine the optimum harvest stage of mango (Mangifera indica Linn.) and secondly to evaluate the effects of chemical pesticides treatments during the preharvest period on the fruit shelf life. It included fieldwork and laboratory quality analysis. Two improved mango cultivars; Kent and Sabre were used, to test for, fruit skin and pulp colour, firmness, fruit weight loss and total soluble solids. Mango trees used were about 38 years old. These were sprayed with chemical pesticides at three- week intervals and the first application was done on 15* August 2001. Fruit were harvested at three harvests - 136, 141 and 146 days after fruit set (DAFS). To test the effect of storage on fruit quality, for each harvest fruit were subjected to storage in shade under ambient conditions and analysed for quality every 5 days starting on the day of harvest. A split-plot design with three factors replicated four times was used. The main plot was the variety and the split plots were maturity stage and storage duration. To determine the effect of pre- harvest chemical control of pest and diseases on shelf life of mango, fruits were subjected to routine insecticide and fungicide sprays every three weeks; samples were collected from sprayed and non- sprayed trees (controls) at. 136, 141, and 146 days after fruit-set (full maturity). Average storage conditions were temperature 23-27°C, relative humidity of 65-75%, and normal atmospheric pressure and air composition counts of diseased or insect damaged fruit were recorded every five days for thirty days. In the first study, total soluble solids were highest in second harvest date (The fruit total soluble solids (TSS) at the three harvest age were 8.13%, 11.52% and 8.15% respectively). Fruit skin and pulp colour were significant different at the three harvest dates and fruit firmness was found to decrease as the fruit matures and had decreased by about 17.2% and in storage decreased by about 54.6%). In storage skin and pulp colour increased by 41.5%) and 49.00%) respectively. Total soluble solids increased by about 100%) within ten in storage. There was significant reduction in fruit mass for both cultivars. Kent had loss in weight of about 24.5% and for Sable cultivar it was 19.4%). Treated fruits were found to have 12.5 %> of decayed fruits while for untreated fruits recorded total of 53.3%o of decayed fruits within thirty days. At the end of storage time the treated fruits were found to have soluble solids of 18.00%) and firmness of 3 (40%)) whereas untreated fruits had soluble solids (TSS) and firmness of 11.52%o and 5 (100%) soft) respectively. The preharvest
treatments had significant influence on the internal quality and shelf life of mango improved cultivars. The pre harvest chemical application on mango fruits extended shelf life.
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Keywords
Mango Production-Zambia , Mangifera Indica-Cultivation