mango post harvest disease

The endophytic fungus causing this serious mango post harvest disease "Stem End Rot"/SER that has become very well established in our older orchards.......since we don't take any proper preventive measures this disease has picked the pace and becoming a major threat to our mangoes....Following are some suggestions if these are properly followed gradually this problem can be minimized...
After harvest "ASAP" as soon as possible without any delay....do prune your orchards......... skirting only or just removing the major limbs of the mango trees from sides or tops will not work........These are part of overall pruning protocols but for SER management in the orchard along with above two following things are of utmost importance....... remove or cut back all the terminals/branches atleast 2-3 feet with sharp tools.......all the debris needs to be taken out from the orchard......put copper based fungicides ASAP after pruning.......@ flushing or new vegetative growth apply system/preventive fungicides depends upon weather conditions....if dry apply contact fungicides/if wet apply system fungicides Note: if insects like thrips, leaf minor appears on new leaves with reference to diseases do control them........@ bud swelling stage apply systematic fungicides and @ flowering apply contact/system fungicides (depends upon weather conditions).............@ fruit setting or its growth & development this process can be repeated....Two very important inputs needs to be carefully applied Irrigation Water & Nitrogenous fertilizers........use of potassium may be helpful....under & over application may triggered this problem............Always remember this: the symptoms of this disease only becomes visible when mango fruit is ripe...........So it is a time to do something against this disease later on all the efforts will not be as fruitful as they are now....


By. Hadi Laghari