Postharvest Diseases Tropical Fruits

Postharvest diseases tropical fruits
Some important tropical fruits
Avocados
Bananas
Mangoes
Papayas
Pineapples
Fruit ripening
Non climacteric fruits
have a respiration rate which at a given
temperature remains roughly constant during
the postharvest period
are not capable of significant changes after
harvest because they have no starch reserves
must be allowed to remain on the plant until
they have attained satisfactory eating quality
examples: citrus, grapes, cherries, pineapple
Climacteric fruits
characterised by a sudden surge in respiration

rate, usually after harvest, known as the
climacteric rise
climacteric rise is triggered by ethylene
(produced in small quantities by the fruits
themselves)
over a period of several days, starch is
converted to sugar, skin colour changes and
flavour and aroma develop
the usual aim is to harvest just before the
climacteric
Avocados (Persea americana Miller)

Originates in South America
subtropical, semitropical and tropical types
Leading producers are Mexico, USA, Brazil,
Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Haiti, Peru, Israel,
Venezuela, Colombia
Climacteric fruit but ripening is possible only after
detachment from the plant
If picked immature, avocados do not have the
capacity to ripen normally after harvest
avocado
Avocado important diseases (1)

Anthracnose/black spot
caused by Glomerella cingulata (asexual stage is

Colletotrichum gloeosporioides)
important disease in most avocado-growing
countries
initial infection may occur at any time during
the growing season
anthracnose mostly remains quiescent; fungus
effects complete penetration of the skin only
after ripening
Control: orchard fungicide sprays; postharvest
fungicide treatments; storage in controlled
atmosphere Postharvest diseases tropical fruits
7
avocado anthracnose
Glomerella cingulata - distribution
Avocado important diseases (2)

Stem end rots
causal agents: Lasiodiplodia (Botriodiplodia)
theobromae, Phomopsis perseae, Dothiorella

spp.
infections can occur in the field (latent

infections) or at the time of harvest
control: orchard spraying with a range of
fungicides can give partial control; harvesting
fruits with longer stalks; postharvest fungicide
dip; careful handling and rapid cooling
10
11
Lasiodiplodia theobromae - distribution
12
Bananas (Musa spp.)

originating in South East Asia
dessert bananas, plantains and cooking bananas
major producing countries
Bananas: Brazil, India, the Philippines, Ecuador,

Indonesia, Thailand, Mexico, Vietnam, Colombia and
Honduras
Plantains and cooking bananas: East and West Africa;
major producer is Uganda
Climacteric pattern of respiration

Fruit intended for local consumption can be cut
mature; fruit for distant markets must be cut
immature and shipped green
13
banana
14
Bananas important diseases (1)

Antracnose
caused by Colletotrichum musae

known in all producing countries
preharvest infections and infections following
physical injury
Control: strict sanitation in plantation and
packhouse; fruits must be harvested at correct
stag of maturity and handled carefully;
postharvest treatment with systemic fungicide;
cooling as soon as possible after harvest
15
anthracnose on banana
16
Colletotrichum musae - distribution
17

Crown rot
caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae (=
Botryodiplodia theobromae), Ceratocystis

paradoxa, Colletotrichum musae, Fusarium
pallidoroseum, Verticillium theobromae
disease complex; different organisms

predominate according to location and time of
year
many of the causal fungi survive on leaf debris
in the plantation; after cutting, the newly
exposed tissue is vulnerable to infection
18
crown rot on banana
Verticillium on banana
19
Verticillium theobromae
20

Control: regular removal of leaves in plantation;
hygiene in packing station; dehanding with sharp
knife; postharvest fungicide application with
systemic fungicides; field packing of bananas
Sigatoka disease
Caused by Mycosphaerella musicola and
Mycosphaerella fijiensis
Most serious banana disease; present in all

tropical banana growing regions
fungus is not present in the fruit, but has
profound effects on fruit development
Control: cultural and chemical methods
21
Mycosphaerella fijiensis - distribution
22
Mangoes (Mangifera indica L.)

originates in the Malay peninsula
major producing countries: India, Mexico,
Pakistan, Brazil, Indonesia, China, Haiti,
the Philippines, Madagascar, Tanzania
Climacteric pattern of respiration
Mangoes for storage or export should be
harvested at the mature-green stage
23
mango
24
Mangoes important diseases (1)

Antracnose
caused by Glomerella cingulata

occurs in all mango-growing areas
symptoms typically appear as the fruit ripens
infection occurs in the field and typically
remaiins quiescent until the onset of ripening
Control: by pre- and postharvest measures;
frequent orchard spraying; postharvest
immersion in hot water with fungicide;
irradiation
25
Mango anthracnose
26

Black (mould) rot
caused by Aspergillus niger

of particular importance in India
fungus persists in soil on decaying vegetation;
fruits on the tree may be reduced to dried-up
mummies; most infections occur during and
after harvest when the fungus penetrates
wounds or the cut stem
Control: orchard sprays; postharvest
treatments with hot water containing fungicide;
careful handling to prevent mechanical damage
27

Stem-end rots
caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Phomopsis,
Dothiorella, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides
occurs in most mango producing areas

fungi persist in the orchard by colonizing dead
wood; infection usually occurs at or shortly
after harvest when the cut stem is invaded
Control: prompt and careful handling; attention
to hygiene; application of fungicidal paste to
the cut stem; postharvest dip in hot bath with
fungicide
28
29
Papayas (Carica papaya L.)

originates in Central America
major producing countries: Brazil, Mexico,
Indonesia, India, Congo, the Philippines,
China, Peru, Colombia, Mozambique
climacteric fruits
must be harvested mature-green for long
distance transport
30
papaya
31
Papayas important diseases (1)

Antracnose
caused by Glomerella cingulata

important disease in most papaya-growing
countries
infection occurs in the field but symptoms only
appear as the fruit ripens (quiescent infections)
Control: orchard hygiene; fallen leaves and
fruits should be collected and destroyed;
orchard fungicide sprays; postharvest hot
water treatment or fungicidal wax application
32
papaya anthracnose
33

Phytophthora rot
caused by Phytophthora palmivora

important in Hawaii, East Africa, India, Taiwan
fungus persists in the soil; infection occurs in
the field; recent infections may be
undetectable at time of harvest
Control: use virgin soil for new plantings;
orchard fungicide sprays; postharvest hot
water treatment
34
Phytophthora palmivora on papaya
35
Phytophthora palmivora - distribution
36

Stem end rots
caused by Mycosphaerella caricae (asexual

stage: Phoma caricae-papayae), Phomopsis,
Phytophthora spp., Botryodiplodia theobromae
the newly cut stem-end is exposed to

contamination during and shortly after harvest
Control: orchard fungicide spray; fruit
harvesting with part of the stem; immersion in
hot water bath
37
black stem end rot
38
Phoma caricae-papaya - distribution
39
Phytopthora stem end rot
40
Pineapples (Ananas comosus L.(Merr.))

originating in South America
major producers: Philippines, Thailand,
Brazil, India, USA, Vietnam, Indonesia,
China, Mexico, Ivory Coast
pineapple is non-climacteric; it must be
allowed to develop most of its eating
qualities whilst still attached
41
pineapple
42
Pineapple important diseases (1)

black rot (soft rot/stem-end rot/water rot)
caused by Ceratocystis paradoxa (asexual

stage: Thielaviopsis paradoxa)
occurs in all major producing countries; causes
serious losses
fungus survives on plant debris in the soil as
chlamydospores
infection may occur before harvest via insect
punctures or growth cracks or via the natural
crevices between individual fruitlets; more
usually infection occurs through the cut stem
or through wounds during handling
43
black rot on pineapple
44
Ceratocystis paradoxa - distribution
45

Fruitlet core rot (brown rot/black rot/eye
rot/black spot)
caused by Gibberella fujikuroi var. subglutinans
(asexual stage: Fusarium moniliforme var.
subglutinans), Penicillium funiculosum,
Pseudomonas ananas
occurs in most producing countries

causal organisms survive on debris in soil and
are spread by water and insects; mites and
mealybugs which damage the tissue can
facilitate infection
46

infection can occur at any stage of fruit
development
Control: mites and mealybugs should be
controlled
47
48
Fusarium moniliforme var. subglutinans - distribution
49

Postharvest Diseases Tropical Fruits

Transféré par

Informations du document

Copyright

Formats disponibles

Partager ce document

Partager ou intégrer le document

Options de partage

Avez-vous trouvé ce document utile ?

Ce contenu est-il inapproprié ?

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

Postharvest Diseases Tropical Fruits

Transféré par

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

Postharvest diseases tropical fruits