Changes in mango postharvest quality due to nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium dose and production season

Abstract

This study analysed the impact of two production seasons (PS): off-season (OS) and main-season (MS); plus, three fertilization doses (FD): proposed (PR), regional (RE) and no fertilization (NF); and the PSxFD interaction, on the quality of ‘Ataulfo’ mango produced in a commercial orchard. A completely randomized factorial design with four replications was used. The experimental unit was a 12-year-old mango tree. The variables evaluated at physiological maturity and ripe stage were firmness, color, titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), TSS/TA ratio, total sugars (TS), reducing sugars (RS), β-carotene, total phenols, vitamin C and weight loss (5, 10 and 15 days) only at the stage of maturity of consumption. PS and FD differentially affected (according to fruit maturity stage) the physicochemical and nutraceutical quality. A similar behavior was observed for the PSxFD interaction. The outstanding results were, at physiological maturity, the PR dose elevated TSS, phenols and TSS/TA ratio; in PS, OS increased Hue, TA, TSS and phenols. At maturity of consumption, the RE dose increased TSS, TSS/TA ratio, phenols, β-carotene and RS; at PS, OS increased TS, luminosity, TSS/TA ratio, β-carotene and vitamin C. The best fruit quality is achieved with the MS:PR combination at physiological maturity and OS:RE at ripening stage. Depending on the degree of maturity of the fruits, this study showed how the fertilization dose, the production seasons, and their interaction modify the physicochemical and nutraceutical quality of mango fruits.