Effect of combined application of carbonate salts and hot water treatment for the management of postharvest anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) of papaya

Postharvest anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Penz.Sacc) is the most economically important biological constraint to papaya production and consumption, which causes substantial yield loss worldwide. The effect of combined application of carbonate salts and hot water treatments on the development of postharvest anthracnose and maintenances of postharvest quality of papaya fruit was studied in completely randomized design (CRD) under laboratory condition. The results revealed that combined application of hot water treatment and carbonate salts significantly (p < .05) reduced the incidence and severity of postharvest papaya anthracnose disease. The disease incidence reached 100% 21 days after inoculation in the control treatment; this level was significantly reduced to 26.70% by dipping the fruits in NH(4)CO(3) at 50°C and NH(4)CO(3) at 54°C. Similarly, treatments significantly (p < .05) reduced the disease severity in different degrees from the first day of disease appearance to the date of 100% unmarketability of control fruits. Furthermore, the combined application of carbonate salt and hot water treatments significantly improves fruit marketability by 93.33%. Moreover, the treatments showed significant (p < .05) effect on maintaining pH, TSS, TA, and reducing postharvest weight loss of papaya fruit. In conclusion, postharvest treatment of papaya fruit with NH(4)CO(3) at 54°C, NH(4)CO(3) at 52°C, and NaCO(3) at 54°C can significantly reduce anthracnose development and improve marketability of the fruits without pronounced effect on their edible qualities.