Stem-end blackening: A new physiological disorder in mango from Bihar

A new physiological disorder named ‘stem-end blackening’ has been observed in an Indian mango cv. Zarda at the Experimental Farm of the Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar. The initial symptom appears just before the onset of maturity, as light brown area surrounding the stem-end of fruit, which, as the fruit ripens become more prominent and increase in size, thus reducing the consumer acceptance. The symptom of the disorder is easily confused with the stem-end rot caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Phomopsis mangiferae and other fungi. However, unlike stem-end rot, this disorder does not spread downward or form watery soft pulp. Our study revealed that the incidence of stem-end blackening was about 40–45% in ‘Zarda’ besides some other cultivars also showed varying levels of this disorder.