Post harvest handling practices of citrus (Citrus sinensis) fruits for management of green mould disease

An investigation on the effect of packaging material, precooling and storage temperature was undertaken at AC&RI, Killikulum, TNAU during 2015–2016, for management of green mould caused by Penicillium sps. in citrus (Citrus sinensis). It was observed that the fruits packed in gunny bags, bamboo baskets and cardboard boxes caused 8, 6 and 2% loss, in terms of fruit damage. Among the six isolates of Penicillium sp. obtained from infected fruits, isolate 3 was highly virulent. The precooled fruits stored at 4° C showed 0% infection by the pathogen even on the 28 ^th day, whereas, fruits without precooling when stored at 4° C showed 13.33% infection.