Pg. 21-22 Die na-oesbehandeling van Madraslietsjies

Madraslietsjies is veral vatbaar vir na-oesbederf na berging, soos verskeping na die buiteland. Die gewone kommersiele SO₂ -beroking is nie voldoende om bederf by hierdie vrugte tot ‘n aanvaarbare vlak te verlaag nie, al word die vrugte ook in plastieksakkies verpak. ‘n Prochloras-doop gee betekenisvol ‘n beter beheer van na-oeswamgroei, wanneer die vrugte eers berook, dan met Prochloras behandel en daarna in Everfresh-plastieksakkies verpak en geberg is.

Die gehalte van Madraslietsjies na berging soos tydens see-uitvoere, is onbevredigend. Dit wil in hierdie stadium voorkom asof hierdie vrugte moeilik suksesvol per boot na die buiteland uitgevoer sal kan word.

Hierteenoor vertoon Mauritiuslietsjies uitstekende houvermoe tydens berging.

Summary:

• Madras litchis are highly susceptible to post-harvest decay during storage and shipment, especially under sea transport conditions.
• The common commercial sulfur dioxide (SO₂) fumigation is insufficient alone to reduce decay to acceptable levels, even when combined with packaging in plastic bags.
• A combination treatment involving fumigation with SO₂, followed by dipping in a Prochloraz fungicide solution, and packaging in Everfresh plastic bags provided significantly better control of post-harvest fungal growth.
• Despite improved decay control, the quality of Madras litchis after storage simulating sea shipment remains unsatisfactory, with many fruits becoming soft and unmarketable.
• Comparative data indicate that Mauritius litchis have much better post-harvest storage and shipping qualities than Madras litchis.
• The study involved seven treatments including untreated control, Prochloraz dips, SO₂ fumigation, and combinations thereof with various packaging methods.
• The best treatment (SO₂ fumigation + Prochloraz dip + Everfresh packaging) showed the least decay and maintained better fruit color, but internal fruit quality was still poor.
• Post-harvest shelf life of Madras litchis is negatively affected by a short production season (about two months), posing a challenge for extended marketing.
• The findings suggest that for successful export, especially via sea freight, current post-harvest treatments for Madras litchis are inadequate.
• The article underscores the need for further research to improve the post-harvest handling and shipping viability of Madras litchis compared to the more resilient Mauritius variety.