Effect of the environment and use of alternative products in the post-harvest of papaya

Abstract

This study aimed to establish an alternative treatment for post-harvest storage of Papaya (Carica papaya L.), var “Tainung 1” and to control major diseases at this stage. Two storage place were evaluated (room temperature and cold room); Six treatments (Control, Samurai 40ml/20l water, Serenade® 40ml/20l water, Sanatizer EUPROOFF® 10ml/20l water, EUPROOFF® + Serenade® + Samurai, Serenade® + Samurai), five storage periods (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days) and three seasons (December, January and February). Fruit weight loss (FWL), color index, number and size of lesions were evaluated and used to calculate the disease incidence and average of disease incidence. The FWL and index color of fruits were more affected by monthly variation than the treatments, especially the Samurai one. The growth of disease incidence were slower under cold room. Among the treatments, the Samurai was the most efficient, but if mixed to others products their efficiency was not observed. These results suggest that the using of Samurai only in cold room conditions can be more effective in control of post-harvest diseases of papaya.