Changes in postharvest quality of mangoes affected by preharvest application of calcium salts.
Singh B. P., Tandon D. K., Kalra S. K.
Author Affiliation: Division of Postharvest Technology, Central Institute of Horticulture for Northern Plains, Indira Nagar, Lucknow 226?016, India.
Scientia Horticulturae 54 : 211-219
Abstract : Twelve-year-old mango cv. Dashehari trees were sprayed with water, Ca(NO3)2 (1 or 2% Ca2+) or CaCl2 (0.6 or 1.2% Ca2+) 20 and 10 days before harvest. Fruits were stored under ambient conditions (35 ± 3°C and 65 ± 5% RH). All Ca treatments delayed ripening and improved fruit quality during storage. Ca-treated fruits contained more Ca in the peel and flesh, loss less weight and had a lower respiration rate than control fruits. Fruits from the best treatment (0.6% Ca2+ as CaCl2) could be stored for 10 days. For the other Ca treatments this was 8 days, while the control fruits were over-ripe by this time. Treatment with 1.2% Ca2+ as CaCl2 caused marginal and lamellar scorching of leaves. Control fruits could be stored for only 6 days.