The potency of sub-micron dolomite in reducing yellow latex contamination in mangosteen fruits

Abstract

In Indonesia, mangosteen has high potency as an export commodity, but the qualityof the fruit is low. Yellow latex contamination is the the main problem in mangosteen fruit quality. The purpose of this research was to study the potency of sub-micron dolomite to reduce yellow latex contamination. This research was conducted in Guguk district, Lima Puluh Kota regency, West Sumatera province, Indonesia, from June 2016 until March 2017. In this experiment, the productive mangosteen trees (12 years) were used as plant material. This study was arranged in Randomize Complete Block Design, and the treatments were the dosage of sub-micron size of dolomite (30, 60, 90, 120, 150 g per plant). Each unit of treatments consists of three plants and four replications. The results showed that the application 90 g per plant of sub-micron dolomite fertilizer increased Ca level in mangosteen leaves and reduced yellow latex contamination until 19.78%. Application sub-micron dolomite fertilizer above 90 g per plant also tend to reduce the Ca level in mangosteen leaves and increased the yellow latex contamination. While the application 120 g per plant sub micron dolomite increased Mn level in mangosteen leaves, an increase the dosage of sub micron dolomite above 120 g per plant reduced Mn level in mangosteen leaves.