MSc

The present investigations on Harvest and postharvest losses in mango (Mangifera indica L.) and its management were conducted in the Department of Processing Technology, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala.
Five mango varieties, viz; Prior, Neelum, Bangalora, Olour and Muvandan were used for the study. Harvested fruits having a specific gravity between 1.00 and 1.05 were used. The fruit weight ranged from 177 g (Muvandan) to 439 g (Bangalora). The fruit length and circumference was maximum for Bangalora).(13.3 cm and 26 cm respectively). Shape index was maximum for Bangalora (2.11) while it was minimum in Muvandan (1.16). Neelum had the thickest skin (0.94 mm). Bangalora had the thinnest skin (0.34 mm). Flesh firmness ranged from 0.58 kg/cm2 in Bangalora to 0.73 kg/cm2 in Neelum at the ripe stage. Total sugar content varied between 14.4 per cent (Neelum) and 9.5 per cent (Muvandan and Bangaloa). Neelum recorded highest reducing and non- reducing sugar content (3.3% and 11.1 % respectively). Total soluble solids ranged between 19 degree brix in Neelum and 13 degree brix in Muvandan. Acidity was the highest in Muvandan (0.24 %) and the lowest in Prior (0.11% ).
Among different mango harvesters designed and fabricated, KAU mango harvester III was found superior to the traditional harvester, in terms of harvesting efficiency, retention of pedicel and collection of fruits in the net. The extent of spoilage of fruits was less when this harvester was used. The recovery of marketable fruits ranged from 68.0 per cent in Bangalora to 75.75 per cent in Neelum. Padding given for collection baskets did not influence postharvest characters.
Among the different types of containers used, packing density was maximum when cardboard box was used, followed by rectangular plastic crate. Studies on the effect of containers and transportation on postharvest losses of mango showed that handling of mangoes in rectangular plastic crate was superior in terms of number of marketable fruits (89.0 %), minimum physiological loss in weight (8.6 %) and less disease incidence (3.0 %).
Among various postharvest treatments, dipping of fruits in warm water (520C) containing carbendazim 0.05 per cent showed minimum PLW., less spoilage in terms of shrinkage, discolouration and disease incidence. Important casual organisms identified were colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus aculeatus, Botryodiplodia theobromae, Rhizopus sp and Penicillium sp. Postharvest treatments did not show any effect on spoilage due to fruitflies. Rate of ripening was faster when warm water treatments were used. Warm water treatments gave a better colour for the fruit. Treatment with Carbendazim left high levels of residues in the fruit pulp.