Efficacy and Persistence of Carbendazim Following Pre-and Post harvest Application in Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk.)

Three pre-harvest foliar sprays with 0.1% carbendazim@400–500 L/ha during fruit growth period at the interval of 30 days effectively controlled the fungal infection up to fruit maturity. The level of residues in fruits was below the MRL value of 1 mg/kg. The post-harvest storage conditions greatly affected the shelf life of ber fruits. Fruits lasted only for few days (<5 days) when stored in open basket at ambient temperature. Even at ambient temperature without any fungicidal treatment, the storage in closed cardboard boxes increased the shelf life of fruits up to 8 days. The cabendazim dip treatment of fruits (in 0.05% aqueous solution for 10 min.) further increased the shelf life to 20 days with minor fungal infection. The residue level was also below the MRL value after 3 days of storage. The results showed that carbendazim treatment could be recommended for improving the shelf life of fruits for storage in closed cardboard boxes under ambient temperature conditions.