Effect of Pre-Harvest chemical treatments and mulching on yield, quality and shelf life of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. himsagar

A field experiments was carried out from 2012–13 to 2013–14 at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Regional Research Station, Gayeshpur to study the effect of pre-harvest chemical treatments and mulching on yield, quality and shelf life of mango cv. Himsagar. Treatments consisted of paddy straw mulching (during September) and pre-harvest chemical spray of CaCl₂ (2.0, 4.0 and 6.0%), CaNO₃ (4.0%), K₂SO₄ (1.0%) and borax (1.0%) with control (water spray) at 30 days before anticipated harvest date. The results revealed that the treatment of 1.0% borax with mulching was found more effective for increasing the fruit weight (247.58 g) and yield (42.19 kg tree-1). This treatment was also found effective for increasing the TSS (9.30 & 19.18°Brix), total sugars (5.01 & 15.74%) and for decreasing the acidity (1.10 & 0.18%) at the time of harvest and end of storage period, respectively. In case of shelf life of fruits, the result revealed that CaCl₂ at 4% with mulching improved the shelf life (9 days). Thus, the study indicated that pre-harvest application of CaCl₂ at 4.0% is effective for improving the shelf life, whereas, borax at 1.0% with mulching proved effective for improving the fruit quality of Himsagar mango.