Influence of Postharvest Treatment on Physical Characteristics and Mineral Content of Mango (Mangifera Indica L) Fruit in Arba Minch, Southern Ethiopia

The trial was carried out to explore the influence of packaging material and storage period on physical characteristics and mineral content of mango fruit at cool chamber and open air.The experimental treatments were comprised storage conditions (open air and pusa zero energy cool chamber), packaging materials (plastic and wooden crate) and storage periods (0, 3, 6, 9 & 12 days) which were arranged in Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Highly significant effect of storage temperature, packages and storage period on weight loss, soft rot and firmness of mango fruit were observed during storage at probability level of (p<0.05) while Ca and Mg content of fruit were not affected significantly. Maximum weight loss (33.24%) and soft rot percent (100%) of mango fruit were observed at open air for 9th day of storage, except firmness (6.10) was obtained at cool chamber during harvested day. Whereas the minimum weight loss (3.74%), soft rot percent (1.11%) and firmness (0.52N) of mango fruit were observed at cool chamber for lowest day of storage. It can be concluded that, the results of physiological weight loss and soft rot incidence were increased significantly as increased storage period at the entire observation whereas firmness, calcium and magnesium content of fruit were decreased as increased storage periods. Mango fruits stored in pusa zero energy cool chamber was exhibited lower weight loss and soft rot incidence while firmness, Ca and Mg contents were exhibited higher as compared to open air storage condition. Based on the present study the combinations of cool chamber + plastic crate + storage up to 12th days were recommended for mango fruit under Arba Minch condition.