Current Horticulture

An experiment was conducted to find out the effect of organic coating on shelf-life and quality of oraganically grown mango (Mangifere indica L.) during 2013–2014 at ASPEE College of Horticulture and Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University and, Navsari, during 2013–14. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design (CRD) with factorial concept having 16 treatment combinations, comprising four levels of organics, viz. 80% N through castor cake + Azotobacter+ PSB (50 g each/tree), 80% N through neem cake + Azotobacter + PSB (50 g each/tree), 80% N through vermi-compost + Azotobacter + PSB (50 gm each/tree and 80% N through biocompost + Azotobacter + PSB (50 gm each/tree) and four levels of organic coatings, viz. 75% Aloevera gel, 5% Acacia gum, 5% Tapioca starch and control (No coating). The treatments were repeated thrice. The effect of these treatments on different parameters of quality and shelf-life of fruits were studied. The results revealed that among different organics and coating, application of 80% N through Neem cake +Azotobacter + PSB (50 g each/tree) and 5% Acacia gum coating were found to be most beneficial for improving quality and shelf life of fruits. Similar trend was observed on quality parameters such as TSS, acidity, TSS: acidity ratio and firmness. Minimum physiological loss in weight was observed in the same treatment.