Postharvest physiology and microanalysis of mineral elements of 'Nam Dork Mai' mango fruit grown under different soil composition

Abstract

The mineral contents of immature and mature mango fruit (cv. Nam Dork Mai), grown under different soil condition, were determined. Fruits, grown under higher Ca/N and (Ca+Mg)/K ratios in soil, remained firm, resisted rot organisms and had longer storage life. The fruit Ca and (Ca+Mg)/K ratio had high positive correlation with storage life, indicating that these parameters are good indicators for storage life. X - ray microanalysis of the distribution of mineral elements in mango fruit revealed that K accumulated mainly in parenchyma cells of the mesocarp, while Ca was lowest in inner mesocarp. Low Ca in fruit could be involved in the occurrence of jelly seed in the inner mesocarp. Thus, fruit quality may well depend upon the condition of the soil.