Efficacy of Postharvest Treatments in Reducing Stem End Rot of 'Carabao' Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Fruit

The efficacy of postharvest hot water treatment (HWT), fungicide dips, and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), and their combinations in reducing stem end rot (SER) incidence of `Carabao' mango fruits was determined. Among the postharvest treatments, HWT (55 degrees C for 10 min) effectively reduced SER incidence by 61-70%. Fungicide dips at their recommended rates (azoxystrobin at 175 ppm and tebuconazole at 156 ppm for 5 min) provided similar degree of disease control (<18%). HWT plus fungicide dip enhanced control efficacy by 80%. The disease incidence increased by 15% with prolonged storage at 13 degrees C from 21 to 28 d after treatment (DAT). Different combinations of postharvest treatments remarkably reduced the disease up to 98% in mango fruits stored at 13 degrees C for 21 DAT. HWT plus azoxystrobin dip and HWT plus tebuconazole dip and MAP decreased the disease incidence up to 93% in mango fruits stored at 13 degrees C for 28 DAT. Due to the significant reduction in disease incidence, the shelf life of the treated mango fruits was prolonged for more than 4 days. Peel color development was delayed when fruit was packed in MAP while HWT enhanced ripening. However, MAP appeared to favor SER infection. Physico-chemical attributes such as firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and pH were slightly influenced by the postharvest treatments. Findings of this research suggest that the integration of postharvest treatments will ensure effective suppression of SER and prolonged marketable period.