Pre-and post-harvest management of sooty blotch disease of mango

Abstract

The field survey conducted in Odisha state during 2014-18 to document major and new diseases of mango, a kind of superficial smudgy fungal blemishes were observed on fruits of late maturing mango varieties. The new type of superficial fungal blackening referred as 'Sooty blotch' disease wherein, group of fungi colonize on waxy layer of fruit cuticle which downgrades the fruit quality and eye appeal by spoiling green fresh look of fruits. To manage the disease, series of studies were undertaken under field condition as well as after harvest as post-harvest dip treatments. Under field condition, among various protective fungicides evaluated, spray of 0.3% copper oxychloride- based formulation thrice at fifteen days interval (by scheduling the first spray before monsoon) provided satisfactory control by inhibiting the colonization of sooty blotch fungi. Subsequently, various post-harvest dip treatments were also evaluated to remove the superficial blackening of fruits after harvest. Among them, dipping of blemished fruits in Arka mango wash for 10-15 minutes, followed by washing in water twice removed 99% of fungal blemishes from sooty blotch infected mangoes without any peel injury and post-harvest quality of fruits.