ABSTRACT
Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is the fifth most important fruit crop, with a global area of 56.81 million hectares under crop and production of about 50.64 million tonnes. India shares about 56% of global production. Mango crop has been reported to suffer from postharvest diseases of worldwide great economic significance like anthracnose and stem-end rot. The anthracnose fungus produces severe symptoms on fruitlets as well as on mature fruits in areas where rain and high humidity prevail during fruit development and maturity periods. It causes rotting of mature fruits during postharvest handling, ripening and transport. The stem-end rot disease appears as the ripening process begins. Fruits near the stem end start rotting and become brown-grey, soft, and start rotting which gradually covers the entire fruit surface. Rotting of mango fruits by several other pathogenic fungi or infestation of saprophytic fungi through injury is also common. Postharvest rots can be reduced by preharvest spray of fungicides, careful harvesting, proper sorting, and removing the injured fruits from a healthy lot. Hot water treatment at 52 ± 1°C for 10 minutes and essential oil treatment also help in managing postharvest diseases. Future research should be focused on the use of nontoxic compounds, biocontrol agents and further refinement of hot water treatment, particularly variety specific. Newer molecules should also be evaluated as preharvest treatment. Spray techniques should also be improved and new-generation spreader-stickers should also be evaluated. Farmers should also be sensitized about the importance of safe harvesting and careful postharvest disease management.
