Journal of Horticulture and Postharvest Research

Abstract Purpose: Fruit ages (early, mid, and late harvest stages) of Haden, Kent, Palmer, and Keitt mango varieties were determined through age-control and established for physiological (early harvest) and eat-ripeness stages (mid and late harvests). This was followed by determining physicochemical properties at these stages that could be used as simple harvest indicators for export and local markets. Research Method: Randomized Complete Block Design and Completely Randomized Design with four replications in each case were used. For each of the four varieties, five mango trees were sampled at random in each of the four replications of a mango plantation when fruits were physiologically matured. Findings: Physiological and ripe maturity index values were 8.94, 6.88, 7.25, and 6.56 ^oBrix respectively, for soluble solids; 24.9, 8.5, 35.5, and 23.8 mg.100g^-1 respectively, for ascorbic acid; 3.25, 3.50, 3.33, and 3.49 respectively, for pH; and 18.5, 17.5, 19.5, and 17.0 ^oBrix respectively, for total soluble solids; 8.05, 3.32, 5.52, and 3.66 mg.100g^-1 respectively, for ascorbic acid; 5.11, 4.08, 5.00, and 5.80 respectively, for pH; respectively. Pulp colour (turning yellow) was nearly the same for the different varieties at physiological maturity but varied when ripe, with uniform consistent texture at both stages.Limitations: No limitations to report. Originality/Value: Fruit should be harvested after full maturity in order to develop the most adequate organoleptic quality and the longest post-harvest life, and before full ripeness but should never be over-ripe or immature for any purpose unless otherwise.

Abstract Purpose: Physiologically matured fruits of Haden, Kent, Palmer, and Keitt mango varieties were used for experiment. The fruits were held at ambient (29-31 ^oC) and simulated-transit temperature (10-13 ^oC) conditions. Quality which includes fruit firmness, weight, and spoilage, were assessed and used to determine shelf life of stored fruits. Research Method: A Completely Randomized Design with four replications was used. For each of the four varieties, five mango trees were sampled at random in each of the four replications of a mango plantation when fruits were physiologically matured.  Findings: For the ambient and simulated-transit temperature conditions, Kent (4.09 days and 3.85 days, respectively) and Keitt (4.08 days and 3.92 days, respectively) fruits stored longer. Haden fruits ripened significantly earlier (9.50 days and 3.5 days, respectively) than Keitt fruits (11.01 days and 5 days, respectively). Ripening time was statistically not different among Haden, Kent, and Palmer fruits. Softness, colour, and decay were limiting quality factors for all mango fruits stored at both conditions. Higher shriveling rates were observed in Haden and Palmer fruits with a slight preponderance of the former, for both conditions. Average weight loss was highest (6.50 % and 3.31 %, respectively) for Haden and lowest (4.09 % and 2.34 %, respectively) for Keitt, but generally lower in fruits stored under transit conditions. Research limitations: No limitations to report. Originality/Value: A single quality attribute cannot be used to express loss of quality of mango fruit over the normal physiological range of mango fruit growth and development.