MULTAN: The Post Harvest Research Centre has developed a mobile reefer/air blast cooling unit that increases post-harvest life of mango by three to four weeks.

Soon after harvest, mangoes should be put in the cooling unit to reduce temperature of the fruit through cool air which consequently increases post-harvest life of the exotic fruit, says a release issued by the media liaison unit of the Punjab Agriculture Department here on Thursday.

Mango importing countries practice different methods to address the problem like fumigation by methyl iodide, keeping the fruit in hot water or vapour heat treatment.

Experts say treatment methods be chosen in accordance with the variety pleading that different varieties need different treatment.

An agriculture spokesman said the hot water treatment (HWT) was applied to remove fungus and mango exporting countries like the Philippines and Brazil were applying this technique to improve fruit quality.

Experts warned that fruit near maturity stage must not pass through HWT because it would compromise its quality, skin colour and taste.

Mangoes must be graded in accordance with their weight because its varieties differ in size and shape from others.

Suitable packing plays an important role in marketing and exporters should use strong card boxes having quality to bear impact of water and weight pressure.

Size of packing should be selected in accordance with the size and number of fruit. A box having space for eight to ten mangoes weighing 4.5 kilo is a suitable option.

Experts also criticised practice of stuffing mangoes in wooden boxes for domestic consumers.

People must avoid this practice because it increases pressure on fruit which damages its shape, affects ripening process and leaves most of the fruit in a condition not suitable for human consumption.

Published in Dawn, July 5th , 2014