Abstract
Mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. TomEJC has utmost potential in export market due to its unique quality. Post-harvest disease of mango such as stem-end rot can cause considerable losses of fruits and could therefore be considered as a great threat to local and export market. This disease is controlled by application of fungicides from the time of flowering in cultivations where this disease is severe. However, the use of fungicides could lead to hazardous effects such as oncogenic risks on the consumers. Therefore, search for alternative measures for the management of stem-end rot disease is essential. In this study, an attempt was made to find out the effect of pre-harvest application of KCl on controlling stem-end rot disease development of ripe fruit. KCl at concentrations of 1 gl-1, 2 gl-1 and 4 gl-1 were sprayed on fruit when fruits were immature. All fruits were bagged with paper bags and fruits were harvested at the correct maturity stage. Then all fruits were inoculated with Botryodiplodia theobromae mycelial plug and allowed for natural ripening. A significant difference was observed in fruit length, fruit width and fruit volume in KCl- treated fruits when compared to controls. Highest fruit volume was observed in 1 gl-1 KCl- treated fruits and the lowest amount of total soluble solids was observed in 2 gl-1 KCl- treated fruits. An increase in lightness and yellowness of peel color in KCl- treated fruits when compared to control II (non-inoculated, non-treated) was evident, indicated by increasing L*, b* and chroma values. However, no significant difference in hue values of peel color was observed among treatments. Flesh color showed a different response to treatments and no difference in chroma value was observed among treatments. The highest L* value and hue value was observed in 2 gl-1 KCl- treated fruits. Incidence and severity of stem-end rot was significantly decreased by 2 gl-1 KCl treatment without drastically affecting the physico-chemical properties of fruits. Vast research has shown that potassium and chloride fertility have been effective in reducing crop injury from diseases. Different mechanisms such as nutritional effects, changes of the host-pathogen environment and production of disease inhibitory compounds could be some possible ways of action of both K and Cl in modifying disease resistance or susceptibility. Since 2 gl-1 KCl was able to suppress stem-end rot disease development in inoculated fruits, this concentration can be recommended as a field application to control this disease in mango variety tested after repeating the same experiment at different locations.
Highlights
TomEJC Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is the world’s biggest, juiciest mango
Disease incidence was reduced to 80% in 2 gl-1 KCl-treated fruits and 40% in 4 gl-1 KCl-treated fruits (Figure 01). 1 gl-1 KCl was less effective than the rest of the concentrations and disease incidence was same in 1gl-1 KCl-treated fruits and the control fruits
The highest reduction in disease severity was observed in 2 gl-1 KCl-treated fruits, and the lesion development was delayed until day 7
Summary
TomEJC Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is the world’s biggest, juiciest mango. It is a beautiful golden orange fruit with an unblemished skin. It has an excellent flavor, low fibre content and smooth flesh. The fruit ripens slowly giving time for the produce to reach the market (Wijesinghe et al, 2011). TomEJC is well adapted to the dry zone in Sri Lanka. The existence of this cultivar could be identified as a new variety having distinct properties when compared to the other standard recommended Sri Lankan varieties
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