Post-harvest control of mango anthracnose with benomyl and hot water

Abstract

Post-harvest treatment with hot water at 55°C controlled mango (Mangifera indica) anthracnose during storage for 11 days at 25°C. The addition of benomyl at 500 and 1000 µg ml-1 allowed the treatment temperature to be reduced to 51.5°C and 48.5°C respectively without reducing efficacy. The rate of change in background skin colour from green to yellow increased as the dipping temperature increased. Mineral oil and hydrochloric acid added to benomyl at room temperature failed to improve anthracnose control significantly. A treatment at 51.5°C with 500 µg ml-1 benomyl has been selected for semi-commercial testing.