Effect of Core Root-Zone Microorganisms on Mango Growth Across Different Regions

The effect of harvesting stages (mature green, half-ripe and full ripe) and storage conditions (zero energy cool chamber, wooden box and underground storage) on post-harvest quality and sensory acceptability of mango fruit was evaluated. Three harvesting stages of mango fruit were harvested and 10 kg of mango fruit was stored in three storage conditions until the end of the storage period. Spoilage and weight loss of mango fruit were recorded from storage in three-day intervals. All samples were analyzed for Post-harvest quality of mango fruit before and after storage at Arba Minch University, Abaya Campus Chemistry laboratory, and sensory acceptability was evaluated by using untrained 45 panelists at the end of the storage period. Completely Randomized Design in factorial arrangement with three replications was used to evaluate the shelf life and postharvest quality of mango fruit. Weight loss, spoilage, firmness and total soluble solids of mango fruit were increased while vitamin C, moisture content and titratable acidity were decreased with increased storage time. The vitamin C content of mango fruit was highest at half ripe in a zero energy cool chamber and was lowest at full ripe harvested in a wooden box after the end of the storage period. The highest overall acceptability of mango fruit was observed at the half-ripe harvested stage in zero energy cool chambers while the lowest was observed at the mature green harvested stage mango fruit in a wooden box after the end of the storage period. Based on the current study, half ripen mango fruit in zero energy cool chamber storage recorded the least percent of weight loss, spoilage amount, maximum shelf life and quality, especially vitamin C content and higher overall acceptability. Further study will be needed on the microbial quality of mango fruit in different harvesting stages and storage conditions during storage periods. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 12(2): 82-87, December 2022

Efficient resource allocation during fruit expansion and ripening is critical for enhancing mango (Mangifera indica L.) productivity and fruit quality. A study was conducted to quantify the effects of foliar-applied GA3 at concentrations of 0 (control), 50 (GA50), 100 (GA100) and 200 (GA200) mg L−1, applied at 15, 25 and 35 days after full bloom, on fruit physiochemical attributes during the fruit expansion and ripening phases. In addition, metabolic profiling and pathway analysis were conducted after fruit ripening. Compared with the control, GA3 application at 50, 100, and 200 mg L−1 increased fruit length by 8, 12, and 14%, and fruit diameter by 5, 11, and 14%, respectively. The mean single-fruit weight was increased by 5–11% at physiological maturity. During the fruit expansion phase, GA3 treatment decreased starch and total acidity by up to 11% and 29%, respectively, while increasing the soluble sugar content by 21%. Furthermore, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POD, and CAT), accompanied by a reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in leaves, were observed. At the ripening stage, GA3-treated fruits exhibited lower weight loss, higher firmness, more uniform color development, and reduced disease incidence, although vitamin C content and total soluble solids declined. PCA analysis identified GA100 as the optimal treatment. Metabolomics analysis revealed 287 differentially regulated metabolites between GA100 and the control. Sweet, fruity, and floral compounds were upregulated, whereas terpenoids and aldehydes were downregulated. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that GA100 modulated key resource-related metabolic pathways, including nitrogen, carbon and energy metabolism, thereby promoting efficient resource allocation toward fruit growth, quality, and aroma development. Overall, preharvest foliar application of GA3, particularly at a concentration of 100 mg L−1 (GA100), markedly improved mango fruit growth and quality but tended to simplify the aroma profiles by favoring ester production over complex terpenoid-derived notes.

Low productivity and severe fruit drop are major constraints in Alphonso mango cultivation in the Konkan region, primarily due to improper nutrient and water management. A field experiment was conducted during 2023-24 and 2024-25 at the Centre of Excellence for Mango, College of Horticulture, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, to study the combined effect of nutrient application and irrigation on fruit retention, yield and quality of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Alphonso. The experiment was laid out in a Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) with twelve treatment combinations comprising four nutrient management practices (F1-F4) and three irrigation-mulching regimes (I1-I3) replicated thrice. Results revealed that the combined application of RDF in split (N-30% P-40% K-20% after harvest, N-30% P-40% K 20% during fruit set, N-20% K-30% at marble stage, N-20% P-20% K-30% egg stage) + irrigation and mulching (F2I3) recorded significantly higher fruit retention (7.28%), number of fruits per tree (145.50) and fruit yield (38.23 kg/tree) compared to other treatments. Improved fruit quality parameters such as fruit weight (263.93 g), fruit length (10.06 cm), fruit width (8.56 cm) pulp: stone ratio (5.54), total soluble solids (18.73 0Brix), titratable acidity (%) and minimum days from flowering to harvest (115.77 days) and spongy tissue incidence (2.33%) were also observed under the same treatment. The enhanced performance may be attributed to improved nutrient availability, better soil moisture status and reduced physiological stress during critical stages of fruit development. The study concluded that integrated nutrient management combined with irrigation and mulching is essential for improving productivity and fruit quality of Alphonso mango under Konkan agro-climatic conditions.

Nitrogen (N) is vital for mango yield and fruit quality, but finding the optimal amount is crucial to avoid the ‘stay green’ problem, which diminishes both fruit quality and profitability. This study aimed to assess the impact of N levels on the fruit quality and yield of ‘Kensington Pride’ (‘KP’) mangoes and determine the amount of N that triggers the ‘stay green’ effect in fruit. A field trial was conducted in a commercial orchard with N treatments (0, 12.5, 25, and 50 kg ha−1) and four replications during the 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons. Fruit yield was quantified, and post-harvest quality (skin color during ripening, sugar content [°Brix], and texture) as well as ethylene effects were assessed. Fruit yields did not vary among N levels over the two cropping seasons but were significantly lower in 2018 (20.0 t ha−1) compared to 2019 (38.5 t ha−1), illustrating the alternate year-bearing habit of ‘KP’ mangoes. In the 2018 harvest, fruit from trees receiving 25 kg N ha−1 appeared yellow–green compared to those with less N, while fruit from trees with 50 kg N ha−1 exhibited ‘stay green’ skin, indicating that applications of 25 and 50 kg N ha−1 were excessive. There was no ‘stay green’ skin observed in the 2019 harvest, indicating that the environment may also be a contributing factor. The texture of ripe fruit from untreated control trees had the highest flesh resistance. Moreover, ethylene-treated fruit ripened in nine days post-harvest and had significantly lower sugar content than untreated fruit, which ripened in 14 days. This study provides valuable insights into the complex interactions among N application, fruit quality, and yield of ‘KP’ mangoes, highlighting the importance of appropriate N management for a sustainable and environmentally friendly commercial mango production system.

Natural products for disease control and quality enhancement of fruit after harvest are increasingly used as alternative to chemical pesticides which are hazardous to human health and the environment. This study was conducted to extract chitosan from crab processing waste and compare its effect with commercial chitosan (Sigma) on stem-end rot disease and on the quality of carabao mango fruit. FT-IR spectra exhibited characteristic absorption bands of the amides, the amines and the carbonyl occurring as prominent and sharp peaks in both laboratory-produced and the commercial chitosan. In vitro assay of D. natalenses against chitosan showed comparable inhibitory effect on fungal growth and development with that of Dithane (‘mancozeb’). When the extracted and commercial chitosan were dissolved in 2% acetic acid and applied at 0-500 ppm, it was found that chitosan regardless of source and concentration can reduce weight loss in mango during storage. Dipping the fruits at different chitosan concentrations significantly reduced the infection rate of stem-end rot disease. The infection rate in fruits treated with 100 ppm laboratory-produced chitosan was comparable with that of 500 ppm Sigma chitosan. The results of this study suggest that the laboratory-produced chitosan at 100 ppm is comparable with that of Sigma chitosan as they significantly slowed down the infection rate of stem end rot disease caused by D. natalensis. Chitosan’s antimicrobial action and beneficial effects on fruit quality could have far reaching application in the fresh fruit industry.

Optimizing irrigation and fertilization at various growth stages to improve mango yield, fruit quality and water-fertilizer use efficiency in xerothermic regions

The objective of this work was to study the effect of postharvest chitosan coating on fruit quality and shelf life of mango (Mangifera indica L.) during storage at ambient condition. Physiologically mature freshly harvested mango fruits (cv. Langra) were treated with chitosan solutions (0%, 0.5%, 0.75% or 1.0%) containing 0.5% acetic acid for 1 min and stored at ambient condition (25 ± 2°C, 85 ± 5% RH). Treatment with 1.0% and 0.75% chitosan significantly reduced weight loss and disease incidence of fruit compared to control. These treatments also maintained higher ascorbic acid, total phenolics content and total antioxidant activity than other treatments.However, development of peel colour and total carotenoids content in the fruit pulp was suppressed by chitosan 1.0% treated fruits. Treatment of mango with chitosan also delayed increase in the total soluble solids and decrease in titratable acidity compared to control. No significant differences were recorded between chitosan 0.75% and 1.0% treated fruits except for peel colour development and total carotenoids content. These results indicated that 0.75% chitosan coating could preserve fruit quality, reduce disease incidence and extend shelf life of mango up to 12 days during storage at ambient condition.

Highly perishable nature of mango fruit and its susceptibility to chilling injury when stored below 13°C limits its international trade. Cold storage of mango at 12-13°C is successful only for 2-3 weeks coupled with substantial losses in fruit quality. Controlled atmosphere (CA) in combination with an optimum storage temperature has been reported to prolong the storage life and maintain fruit quality including aroma volatiles in mango fruit depending upon cultivar. Fruit quality is an important factor in influencing consumer preferences in international and domestic markets. This paper will focus on fundamental and applied aspects of CA storage of mango fruit and its implications in facilitating international trade. Various researchers have attempted to optimise CA conditions for different cultivars of mango as the CA requirements of mangoes vary among cultivars and inappropriate CA conditions adversely affect quality of ripe mango fruit. CA comprising of low O2 concentrations (<2%) has been reported to accumulate ethanol and adversely affect fruit quality of 'Tommy Atkins' and 'Delta R2E2' mangoes. For about a decade, my research group has been exploring the effects of CA on extending storage life, maintaining fruit quality including aroma volatiles production in mango fruit. CA storage comprising 3% O2 in combination with 6% CO2 at 13°C seems to be promising for extending the storage life of the Australian mango cultivars 'Kensington Pride' (KP) and 'R2E2' up to six weeks, with good fruit quality and maintaining a high concentration of the major volatile compounds responsible for the aroma of ripe mangoes. The applications of CA in preventing chilling injury, postharvest diseases and insect disinfestations have also been discussed.

Mango is the third most important fruit in the tropics due to its nutritional properties and delicious flavor. The fruit is exceptionally perishable due to its climacteric nature, which decreases the quality and shelf-life. Preserving fruit quality and preventing losses during postharvest is one of the critical solutions in sustaining human dietary demands. Postharvest treatments such as 1-Methylcyclopropene, edible coatings, and hot water treatment have shown to be effective in preserving fruit quality. However, developing environmental-friendly postharvest technologies that ensure the safety of consumers remains a challenge. Gaseous ozone, controlled atmosphere (CA), and pulsed electric field (PEF) are some of the emerging technologies with great potential for the mango fruit industry. The use of such technologies has been demonstrated to be effective in maintaining the sensory, nutritional, and physicochemical quality of the mango fruit. However, the mode of action of the emerging technologies is not yet understood. This review provides of an overview of various postharvest techniques used to preserve mango fruit quality. The potential of the emerging postharvest technologies to maintain mango fruit quality during storage and shelf-life is also discussed.

Mangoes tend losses of fruit quality due to ripening and deteriorating quickly during storage at room temperature. In this study, the effect of postharvest calcium treatments with two different concentrations on storability and disease resistance was investigated in pre-bagging mango during storage at room temperature. The results showed that the calcium treatments delayed fruit ripening and decreased fruit sweetness in pre-bagging mango fruit. Both 1% and 2% of calcium treatment could effectively maintain lower level of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) via higher activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) during the late stage of storage, which might be beneficial to delaying fruit ripening and enhancing disease resistance in mango fruit. Moreover, a significant decrease in the disease index in calcium-treated fruit might be attributed to the increases in activities of defense-related enzymes and the accumulations of disease resistance-related substances. Practical applications “Keitt” mango is susceptible to fruit fly and deteriorates quickly during room temperature storage. Therefore, finding a complementary postharvest approach to improve fruit storability and quality of mango is beneficial for producers and traders. Calcium is thought to be one of the most important mineral elements associated with fruit quality and storability. Our results suggested that postharvest calcium treatment might be a useful method to improve storability and enhance disease resistance in pre-bagging mango fruit during storage.

This review paper delves into the intricate interrelationships among micronutrient interventions, carbohydrates, and osmostimulants, investigating their collective influence on diverse aspects of mango tree growth and fruit characteristics. Micronutrients, essential elements required in small quantities for plant health, play a pivotal role in shaping optimal plant development. The paper underscores the significance of these micronutrients by highlighting their roles in stimulating vegetative growth, influencing flowering dynamics, regulating fruit set processes, impacting yield metrics, and contributing to the nuanced attributes of fruit quality. This synthesis illuminates the complex network of processes governing mango tree growth and fruit production. Moreover, the study underscores the potential of well-structured nutrient management strategies as key catalysts for optimizing mango production outcomes. By carefully balancing the imperative of yield quantity and fruit quality, such strategies hold the promise of enhancing overall agricultural efficiency. Drawing insights from a comprehensive review of pertinent studies, this research paper contributes to a holistic comprehension of the intricate interactions involving micronutrients, carbohydrates, and osmostimulants, intricately connected with the diverse growth and fruit parameters within mango trees. Through this endeavor, the paper provides valuable insights into the intricate interplay of micronutrients within mango cultivation, offering a knowledge foundation for informed agricultural practices geared towards sustainable and high-quality fruit production. The paramount importance of micronutrients in fostering robust crop health and productivity underscores the broader implications of these findings for contemporary agricultural methodologies.

Mango fruit is well known for its nutritional and health benefits due to the presence of a plethora of phytochemical classes. The quality of mango fruit and its biological activities may change depending upon the variation in geographical factors. For the first time, this study comprehensively screened the biological activities of all four parts of the mango fruit from twelve different origins. Various cell lines (MCF7, HCT116, HepG2, MRC5) were used to screen the extracts for their cytotoxicity, glucose uptake, glutathione peroxidase activity, and α-amylase inhibition. MTT assays were carried out to calculate the IC50 values for the most effective extracts. The seed part from Kenya and Sri Lanka origins exhibited an IC50 value of 14.44 ± 3.61 (HCT116) and 17.19 ± 1.60 (MCF7). The seed part for Yemen Badami (119 ± 0.08) and epicarp part of Thailand (119 ± 0.11) mango fruit showed a significant increase in glucose utilization (50 μg/mL) as compared to the standard drug metformin (123 ± 0.07). The seed extracts of Yemen Taimoor seed (0.46 ± 0.05) and Yemen Badami (0.62 ± 0.13) produced a significant reduction in GPx activity (50 μg/mL) compared to the control cells (100 μg/mL). For α-amylase inhibition, the lowest IC50 value was observed for the endocarp part of Yemen Kalabathoor (108.8 ± 0.70 μg/mL). PCA, ANOVA, and Pearson's statistical models revealed a significant correlation for the fruit part vs. biological activities, and seed part vs. cytotoxicity and α-amylase activity (p = 0.05). The seed of mango fruit exhibited significant biological activities; hence, further in-depth metabolomic and in vivo studies are essential to effectively utilize the seed part for the treatment of various diseases.

The tropical soil acidity is one of the main limiting factors for crop productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of application of limestone dose to soil fertility, nutritional status of the crop, and productivity and quality of the fruits of mango, cultivar Keitt. The study was carried out at Selvíria, state of Mato Grosso Sul, Brazil, in a Typic Haplustox (pH in CaCl2 = 4.7), cultivated with mango cultivar Keitt grafted on Coquinho pattern in the production phase (13 years old). Treatments were composed of limestone doses (0, 1.55, 3.10, 4.65, and 6.20 t ha−1), arranged in blocks at random with three repetitions. The limestone was applied and incorporated in the surface layer of 0 to 5 cm deep in the total area. We evaluated the chemical attributes of the soil [pH, hydrogen (H+) aluminum (Al), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), and sum of bases and base saturation] at 16 and 28 months after liming (layer 0 to 20 cm deep), the nutrition of plants at 12 months after liming, and quality of the fruit in two crop years. Liming promoted improvements in soil chemical attributes, reflected in the nutritional status, productivity, and quality of mango fruit. Also, there was a linear effect with the application of lime dose on the productivity of the fruit, but after the second year of evaluation.

Weather fluctuations significantly affect the growth and production of orchard crops such as mango, leading to a substantial decrease in tree growth, flowering rate, yield, and fruit quality. One of these weather factors is drought, which negatively influences multiple physiological processes in plants. It increases the transpiration rate and decreases the cell turgidity, stomatal regulation, osmoregulation, water utilization efficiency, and the development of the deep root system; consequently, it decreases the final production and fruit quality. Therefore, the present study was performed in the 2022–2023 seasons to study the role of the spraying of Selenium (Se), Titanium (Ti), and Silicon (Si) nanoparticles on the growth parameters, yielding, fruit physical and chemical characteristics, and leaf mineral composition of mango cv. Keitt. Mango trees were sprayed during the vegetative season 2022–2023 three times, starting in April with three weeks intervals, by 5, 10, and 20 mg/L Se; 40, 60, and 80 mg/L Ti; and 50, 100, and 150 mg/L Si. The results showed that the extern spray of nanoparticles from these micronutrients improved the growth attributes, yielding and fruit quality of mango trees by reducing the effect of undesirable stressful conditions. The results also indicated that the extern implementation of 150 mg/L Si, 60 mg/L Ti and 20 mg/L Se gave the best increments in the shoot number, length, thickness, leaf area, and leaf chlorophyll contrasted to the else sprayed treatments. Besides, they also improved the fruit set percentages, fruit yields, fruit physical and chemical characteristics and nutritional status of mango trees in both tested seasons.

The experiment was carried out 2015-16 in Mango orchard at Fruit Research Station Kuthulia, College of Agriculture Rewa (M.P). The study revealed that the Effect of micronutrients on growth, yield and fruit quality of mango (Mangifera Indica L.) cv. Dashehari with 7 treatments in Randomized Block Design with three replications, Observations were recorded on growth yield & quality parameters. The maximum plant height was recorded (9.59m) in Treatment T4, RDF + Foliar spray of 0.4% Zinc sulphate + 0.2% copper sulphate + 0.2% Boric acid (2 Spray at just before flowering and marble stage) followed by (9.03m) treatmentT5, RDF + Zinc sulphate 100 g + Copper sulphate 50 g + Boric acid 50 g (soil application) in basin after harvest + Foliar spray of 0.2% Zinc sulphate + 0.1% Boric acid (2 Spray at just before flowering and marble stage. The maximum plant spread was recorded (Mean of N-S 11.93m E-W 12.87) in treatment T2, RDF + Zinc sulphate 200 g + Copper sulphate 100 g + Boric scid 100 g (soil application) in basin after harvest. The maximum number of fruits per plant was recorded (288.00) in treatment T5, RDF + Zinc sulphate 100 g + Copper sulphate 50 g + Boric acid 50 g (soil application) in basin after harvest + Foliar spray of 0.2% Zinc sulphate + 0.1% Boric acid (2 Spray at just before flowering and marble stage) However the maximum tree volume (1100.79 m3) was recorded in treatment T4, RDF+ Zinc sulphate 0.4%+ Copper sulphate 0.2% + Boric acid 0.2%(2 spray at just before flowering and marble stage). The maximum length and width of fruit were recorded (10.67cm), (5.97cm) in treatment T5, RDF+ Zinc sulphate 100g + Copper sulphate 50g + Boric acid 50g (soil application) + Zinc sulphate 0.2%+ Boric acid 0.1%(2 spray at just before flowering and marble stage). The maximum fruit yield was recorded (64.04kg/tree) in treatment T5, RDF + Zinc sulphate 100 g + Copper sulphate 50 g + Boric acid 50 g (soil application) in basin after harvest + Foliar spray of 0.2% Zinc sulphate + 0.1% Boric acid (2 Spray at just before flowering and marble stage). The minimum fruit yield was recorded (29.55kg)in treatment T7control RDF only. The maximumpulp percentage was recorded (79.94%) in treatment T5, RDF+ Zinc sulphate 100g + Copper sulphate 50g + Boric acid 50g (soil application) + Zinc sulphate 0.2%+ Boric acid 0.1%(2 spray at just before flowering and marble stage) The maximum acidity was recorded (0.26%) in treatment T4, RDF + Foliar spray of 0.4% Zinc sulphate + 0.2% copper sulphate + 0.2% Boric acid (2 Spray at just before flowering and marble stage).The maximum total soluble solids (TSS) was recorded(21.13 0Brix) T5, RDF + Zinc Sulphate 100 g + Copper sulphate 50 g + Boric acid 50 g (soil application) in basin after harvest + Foliar spray of 0.2% Zinc sulphate + 0.1% Boric acid (2 Spray at just before flowering and marble stage).