EFFECT OF PREHARVEST APPLICATION OF GA-3 ON POSTHARVEST BEHAVIOR OF MANGO FRUITS

Gibberellic acid (GA3) was applied as a foliar spray to the mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivar 'Dashehari' at 100, 200, 300 or 400 mg l-1 after fruit set in 1988 and 1989, followed by another spray 10 days later. GA3 retarded the ripening of mango fruits for up to 6 days of storage under ambient temperatures between 36 +/- 2 and 40 +/- 3-degrees-C. With increasing concentrations of GA3, postharvest ripening during the first 6 days was delayed significantly. Fruits that received 200 mg l-1 GA3 or more, exhibited less total soluble solids (TSS), a lower TSS/acid ratio, less total carotenoids, and lower amylase and peroxidase activity at harvest. Total acidity, ascorbic acid and total chlorophyll in peel were significantly higher in these fruits.