Control of Postharvest Decay of Papaya1

Abstract

Abstract Thiabendazole (TBZ) applied in a carnauba wax formulation provided effective control of postharvest diseases of papaya (Carica papaya L.) for up to 14 days at 10°C plus ripening at room temperature. Slightly greater control of disease was observed when TBZ was used immediately after a short hot water spray treatment (54°, 1.5 minute). A more severe hot water dip treatment (48°, 20 minutes) was not significantly more effective than TBZ alone. Sodium o-phenylphenate (SOPP) in wax did not reduce decay when used alone or in combination with TBZ.