- W van de Pypekamp
- QMS Agri Science, PO Box 416, Letsitele 0885, South Africa
- 2009
The effect of six products on post-harvest fruit decay, applied as pre-harvest foliar applications on cv. HLH Mauritius, was determined. Trees were sprayed at three pre-harvest intervals and after harvest fruit subjected to simulated post-harvest export storage. Evaluation of fruit revealed that Product X controlled post-harvest decay the best, with no decay five days after removal from cold storage, compared to 50% decay on the untreated control fruit. Chronos 450 SC and Topsin Flo also reduced post-harvest decay significantly, while PreTect, ComCatTM & AnngroTM and the Plant Health Products – Yeast, had only a slight reduction, if any, on fruit decay.
Summary:
- Treatments included PreTect, Comcat AnnGro, Plant Health Products – Yeast, Chronos 450 SC, Topsin Flo (mineral oil), Product X, and an untreated control, all tested on the HLH Mauritius cultivar.
- Sprays were applied at various intervals before harvest, followed by simulated export storage conditions.
- Product X provided the best control of post-harvest decay, with 0% decay at 3 and 5 days, and only 19% at 7 days after removal from cold storage, compared to the untreated control (18–60% decay).
- Chronos 450 SC and Topsin Flo also significantly reduced decay (down to 22–35% at 5 and 7 days) but were less effective than Product X.
- PreTect, Comcat AnnGro, and Plant Health Products – Yeast showed little to no significant effect on reducing post-harvest decay.
- When a post-harvest prochloraz dip was added, differences between treatments lessened, indicating the dip itself effectively reduced fruit decay across all groups.
- The research concludes pre-harvest foliar applications of Product X are highly effective in reducing post-harvest litchi decay. Chronos 450 SC and Topsin Flo also help but are less potent.
- Further research is recommended to optimize application dosages and timing, and combining these products with fungicides may reduce chemical use without compromising effectiveness.