Effect of pre-harvest foliar spray of Ca, Zn and B on respiration rate and biochemical changes of ‘Dashehari’ mango during storage

Abstract

To examine the role of pre-harvest foliar application of Ca, Zn and B on respiration rate and biochemical
changes during storage of mango fruit was investigated. Test chemicals (Ca, Zn and B) significantly
reduced the respiration rate as compared to untreated ones. In untreated fruits climacteric peak appeared
at about 6th days, while in treated fruit it occurred at about 9th days of storage. Treated fruits had delayed
ripening for about 3 days as compared to control. An increase in TSS and carotenoids was noted up to 9th
days of storage under all treatments, thereafter, value of TSS and carotenoids slightly decreased. The
tannin, starch and pectin contents were decreased gradually as the storage advanced. However, the fruits
received the treatments of Ca, Zn and B showed higher retention of tannins, starch and pectin in both fresh
and stored fruits.