



































STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF PRE-HARVEST TREATMENT OF SOME NUTRIENTS ON PHYSICO-CHEMICAL QUALITIES AND SHELF LIFE OF MANGO (Mangifera indica L


 

African Journal of Agricultural Marketing Vol. 2 (1), pp. 047-055, March, 2014. Available online at 
www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals 

 
 
 
 

Full Length Research Paper 
 

Effect of pre-harvest foliar spray of Ca, Zn and B on 
respiration rate and biochemical changes of ‘Dashehari’ 

mango during storage 
 

Bal Bahadur Singh Chauhan1, PK Shukla1, LP Yadava2 and Deepmala Verma3 

 
1
Department of horticulture, Janta College, Bakewar, Etawah (U.P.)-206124, India. 

2
CB Gupta Agriculture Post Graduate College, BKT, Lucknow, UP, India (Affiliated to Lucknow University, Lucknow, UP, 

India. 
3
State Institute of Food Processing Technology, Lucknow, UP, India. 

 
Accepted 18 March, 2014 

 

To examine the role of pre-harvest foliar application of Ca, Zn and B on respiration rate and biochemical 
changes during storage of mango fruit was investigated. Test chemicals (Ca, Zn and B) significantly 
reduced the respiration rate as compared to untreated ones. In untreated fruits climacteric peak appeared 
at about 6

th
 days, while in treated fruit it occurred at about 9

th
 days of storage. Treated fruits had delayed 

ripening for about 3 days as compared to control. An increase in TSS and carotenoids was noted up to 9
th

 
days of storage under all treatments, thereafter, value of TSS and carotenoids slightly decreased. The 
tannin, starch and pectin contents were decreased gradually as the storage advanced. However, the fruits 
received the treatments of Ca, Zn and B showed higher retention of tannins, starch and pectin in both fresh 
and stored fruits. 
 
Key words: Calcium, zinc, boron, respiration rate, storage, fruit ripening, mango.  

 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
The mango (Mangifera indica L.) is the special product 
that substantiates the high standards of quality and 
bountiful of nutrients packed in it. It is well known for high 
antioxidant value (O’Neil, 2014) and variety of 
phytochemicals (Ajila and Prasad Rao, 2008). Dashehari 
is one of the leading commercial varieties of North India, 
known for the excellent quality of its fruits (Pradeepkumar 
et al., 2008). Its ripened pulp is very delicious and 
nutritious. A single mango can provide up to 40 per cent 
of daily dietary fibre, a potent protector against heart 
disease, cancer and cholesterol build-up. In addition to it, 
this luscious fruit is supposed to be a warehouse of 
potassium, beta-carotene and antioxidants (Anon, 2009). 

The carotenoid pigments, -carotene (pro Vit-A), 
increases with ripening, whereas vitamin C registers a 
sharp fall with ripening (Soule and Hatton, 1955). The 
proper nutritional management plays a vital role in increas-  
 
 
 
 
*Corresponding author. E-mail: drlpyadava@gmail.com 

ing the yield and quality of fruits. The foliar application of 
Ca and micro element exhibits its remarkable effect on 
physico-chemical attribute of fruits. Fruit quality as 
evident by T.S.S. and sugar content improved markedly 
by the application of zinc and boron in mango plants 
(Banik et al., 1997). The exact role of calcium, like that of 
all minerals, is still obscure, but it is important for cell wall 
development. Calcium ions delay the senescence by 
stabilizing cell membrane and increasing the stiffness of 
monolayer. The Ca

2+ 
arbitrated cross linking may occur 

as bridging between phospholipids and carboxyl tails of 
embedded membrane protein (Leshem, 1991). There are 
also several calcium pectate interactions, which make the 
cell wall firmer (Carpita and McCann, 2000). 

Calcium is associated with pectin substances in the 
middle lamella and with membranes generally and may 
slow the processes like respiration, softening and overall 
fruit ripening reduce losses and increase shelf life nearly 
by strengthening structural components of the cell without 
alleviating the original cause of cell collapse. Jones and 
Lunt (1967) reported that calcium is known to be an 
essential plant nutrient involved in a number of physiologi-  

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Yadava   et al.              047 
 
 
 
cal processes concerning membrane structure and 
function and enzyme activity. Boron acts as catalyst or 
reaction regulator. It can delay the calcium deficiency but 
cannot replace calcium and it tends to keep calcium 
soluble. It may act as a regulator of potassium/calcium 
and the absorption of nitrogen. It may be concerned with 
oxidation-reduction equilibrium in cells.  
 Zinc improves the auxin content and it also acts as 
catalyst in oxidation-reduction processes. Nijjar et al. 
(1976) reported that the activity of carbonic anhydrase, a 
metallo enzyme for zinc, which is correlated with zinc 
content of leaves, exhibited a remarkable recovery when 
leaves are sprayed with zinc sulphate. In their experiment 

the zinc-deficient leaves produced only 418 g 

carbondioxide/100 g zinc in leaves/5 minutes where as 

in sprayed leaves it rose to 550 g, thus, indicating that 
the spray of 0.2 and 0.4 per cent of zinc sulphate almost 
restored the normal activity of enzyme. 

The nutritive value and quality of fruits, which depend 
on physical and biochemical changes that occur during 
ripening, storage and transportation, is very important 
from economic as well as academic point of view. Work 
on important problems of mango industry has been 
started systematically at several places in the country, 
but still a lot of work is needed on post-harvest 
management. In order to have good return and to avoid 
glut of mango fruits in market in the peak season it 
becomes essential to store the quality fruits for a 
considerable period. However, the marketability of fruits 
is lost rapidly owing to quick softening and rotting of 
fruits. It is reported that calcium, zinc and boron improve 
the quality and shelf life of mango fruits. In view of the 
above effect of pre-harvest foliar spray of Ca, Zn and B 
on the respiration rate and biochemical changes in 
mango fruits during storage was studied.  
 
 
MATERIALS AND METHODS 
 
Plant material 
 
The 20 years old heavy bearer trees of cv. Dashehari 
having uniform vigour and productivity were selected for 
experiment at the research block of mango orchard of 
Janta College, Bakewar, Etawah (U.P.). Trees, those had 
not been sprayed in 1

st
 year were selected for 2

nd
 year so 

as to avoid the possible carry-over effects from previous 
spray. 
 
 
Foliar Spray of Ca, Zn and B  
 
The treatments consisted of foliar spray of different 
chemicals i.e., Ca, Zn and B at three levels of 
concentration (0.0, 0.4 and 0.8%). The solution of these 
chemicals was made ten litre each using calcium nitrate, 
zinc sulphate and borax 210.53, 121.21 and 353.64 g for 

0.4% and 421.05, 242.42 and 527.27 g for 0.8%,  
respectively in water and the pH was adjusted to 7.0 by 
slaked lime [Ca(OH)2] prior to making its desired volume. 
The amount of borax was dissolved in warm water as it 
does not soluble in water at normal temperature. Each 
tree was sprayed with aqueous solution of chemicals one 
month before fruit harvest using a power operated 
sprayer. The wetting agent Tween-20 (1.0ml per litre) of 
solution was used in all spray solutions as a surfactant for 
their better absorption.  
 
 
Determination of respiration rate and biochemical 
changes 
 
Twenty fruits in each treatment and each replication 
apparently of the same size and of similar physiological 
maturity were harvested randomly and packed in the CFB 
boxes and brought to laboratory of Department of 
Horticulture, Janta College, Bakewar, Etawah for 
physico-chemical analysis and storage. Mango fruits 
were kept in the standard size CFB boxes (31.5×22.0×25 
cm) and stored at ambient temperature (average 
temperature, 33.2

o
C and R.H. 66.3% in 2006 and 33.7

o
C 

and 65.4% R.H. in 2007). Respiration rate of fruits (CO2 
evolution) was determined by the gas flow method to the 

procedure of Loomis and Shull (1937). -carotene was 
estimated by adopting the method of Jenson (1970). 
Tannins, pectin and starch were estimated by volumetric 
method of as described by Ranganna (1986).  
 
 
Statistical Analysis 
 
Data recorded for two years were pooled to reach it more 
precise conclusions. Data under values in per cent were 
analysed on angular transformed values. The results 
have been interpreted on the basis of ‘F’ test and C.D. at 
5% level of significance. 
 

 
RESULTS 
 
Fruit Respiration rate as influenced by Ca, Zn and B 
 
From the data a typical trend of respiratory activity was 
noticed at the peak between 3 and 6 days of storage 
(Figure. 1). At the time of harvesting respiration rate was 
maximum (47.04 mg CO2/kg/h) in untreated fruits (T1). 
From pooled data of both years it is also evident that pre-
harvest spray of Ca, Zn and B considerably reduced the 
rate of respiration. The lowest respiration rate (32.21 mg 
CO2/kg/h) was recorded in fruits treated with Ca 0.8%+Zn 
0.4%+B 0.4% (T23), but it was statistically at par with T17 

(33.25 mg CO2/kg/h), T18 (32.61 CO2/kg/h) and T26 (33.00 
mg CO2/kg/h). The highest respiration rate was noted in 
untreated fruits.  



 

048       Int. J. Agric. Sci. 
 
 
 

 
 

Figure 1. Effect of pre-harvest spray of Ca, Zn and B on respiration rate (mg CO2/Kg/h) of mango fruits cv. Dashehari during storage.  
 
T1  Ca 0.0 + Zn 0.0 + B 0.0, T2 Ca 0.0 + Zn 0.0 + B 0.4, T3 Ca 0.0 + Zn 0.0 + B 0.8, T4 Ca 0.0 + Zn 0.4 + B 0.0, T5 Ca 0.0 + Zn 0.4 + B 0.4, T6 Ca 0.0 + Zn 0.4 + B 0.8, T7 Ca 0.0 + Zn 0.8 + B 0.0, T8 Ca 0.0 
+ Zn 0.8 + B 0.4, T9  Ca 0.0 + Zn 0.8 + B 0.8, T10 Ca 0.4 + Zn 0.0 + B 0.0, T11 Ca 0.4 + Zn 0.0 + B 0.4, T12 Ca 0.4 + Zn 0.0 + B 0.8, T13  Ca 0.4 + Zn 0.4 + B 0.0, T14 Ca 0.4 + Zn 0.4 + B 0.4, T15 Ca 0.4 + Zn 
0.4 + B 0.8, T16  Ca 0.4 + Zn 0.8 + B 0.0, T17,  Ca 0.4 + Zn 0.8 + B 0.4, T18 Ca 0.4 + Zn 0.8 + B 0.8, T19 Ca 0.8 + Zn 0.0 + B 0.0, T20 Ca 0.8 + Zn 0.0 + B 0.4, T21  Ca 0.8 + Zn 0.0 + B 0.8, T22 Ca 0.8 + Zn 
0.4 + B 0.0, T23 Ca 0.8 + Zn 0.4 + B 0.4, T24 Ca 0.8 + Zn 0.4 + B 0.8, T25  Ca 0.8 + Zn 0.8 + B 0.0, T26 Ca 0.8 + Zn 0.8 + B 0.4, T27  Ca 0.8 + Zn 0.8 + B 0.8  

 
 
 

In the first spell of storage, i.e., up to 3 days it was significantly decreased 
as it is evident that at the time of harvesting untreated releasing 47.04 mg 
CO2/kg/h, which decreased to a level of 38.94 mg CO2/kg/h after 3 days. It 
was at the peak between 3 and 6 days of storage as it rose to 75.55 mg 
CO2/kg/h and again it decreased to a level 44.61 mg CO2/kg/h after 9 days 
and it was minimum 30.06 mg CO2/kg/h after 12 days. After 3 days of storage 

minimum respiration rate was noted in fruits treated with Ca 0.8%+Zn 0.4%+B 
0.4% (T23) in which it was 29.65 mg CO2/kg/h, which was significantly lower 
as compared to T1 (38.94 mg CO2/kg/h), T3 (33.30 mg CO2/kg/h), T7 (33.35 
mg CO2/kg/h), T10 (34.80 mg CO2/kg/h), T11 (33.91 mg CO2/kg/h), T12 (33.09 
mg CO2/kg/h), T19 (33.05 mg CO2/kg/h) and T21 (33.96 mg CO2/kg/h). The 
respiration rate after 6 days of storage was highest in untreated fruits    



 

Yadava   et al.              049 
 
 
 

Table 1. TSS and total carotenoids contents in the fruits as influenced by Ca, Zn and B.  
 

Treatments TSS (
o
Brix) Total Carotenoids  

Days after storage Days after storage 

 0 3 6 9 12 0 3 6 9 12 

T1 8.06 9.88 16.05 18.29 17.59 0.284 1.236 3.339 3.557 3.536 

T2 8.44 10.90 17.41 21.07 19.88 0.312 1.285 4.991 5.045 4.927 

T3 8.37 10.52 17.16 20.40 19.16 0.311 1.277 4.985 5.035 4.903 

T4 8.40 10.56 17.51 20.85 19.29 0.310 1.295 4.970 5.027 4.887 

T5 8.50 10.92 17.54 20.78 19.96 0.313 1.312 5.010 5.062 4.948 

T6 8.41 10.42 17.48 21.31 20.15 0.312 1.301 5.006 5.062 4.928 

T7 8.82 11.00 17.16 20.40 19.11 0.310 1.291 4.975 5.031 4.899 

T8 8.50 10.95 17.61 20.71 19.94 0.312 1.312 5.006 5.059 4.934 

T9 8.47 10.40 17.50 21.27 19.68 0.312 1.292 5.008 5.059 4.926 

T10 8.37 10.42 17.31 21.14 19.29 0.312 1.280 4.997 5.047 4.925 

T11 9.36 11.04 18.35 21.29 20.41 0.314 1.299 5.021 5.057 4.956 

T12 8.45 11.21 17.48 20.88 19.47 0.314 1.299 5.021 5.062 4.950 

T13 9.02 10.66 18.36 21.53 20.37 0.313 1.298 5.020 5.066 4.946 

T14 8.57 10.45 18.11 21.58 20.50 0.316 1.336 5.039 5.087 5.007 

T15 8.74 11.10 17.80 21.01 20.05 0.315 1.332 5.039 5.085 5.002 

T16 8.72 10.71 17.84 21.23 19.76 0.314 1.296 5.019 5.068 4.950 

T17 8.74 10.68 18.97 21.61 20.63 0.315 1.328 5.033 5.068 4.994 

T18 8.55 10.43 17.93 21.56 20.67 0.315 1.329 4.991 5.075 4.991 

T19 8.38 10.71 17.34 20.80 19.41 0.312 1.280 4.998 5.053 4.926 

T20 8.70 10.60 17.78 21.20 19.72 0.314 1.325 5.027 5.073 4.989 

T21 9.33 10.98 18.31 21.47 20.30 0.314 1.300 5.021 5.065 4.963 

T22 8.63 10.72 18.53 21.32 20.74 0.314 1.304 5.021 5.070 4.979 

T23 9.51 11.32 19.42 22.39 21.92 0.320 1.392 5.076 5.105 5.079 

T24 9.43 10.84 19.16 21.96 21.34 0.317 1.359 5.047 5.099 5.015 

T25 9.06 10.77 18.41 21.58 20.46 0.315 1.303 5.031 5.067 4.983 

T26 9.47 11.09 18.43 22.10 21.62 0.318 1.370 5.061 5.102 5.026 

T27 9.13 10.89 18.30 21.87 21.28 0.316 1.348 5.044 5.093 5.008 

Mean 8.74 10.74 17.90 21.17 20.10 0.313 1.310 4.955 5.010 4.910 

 
 
 
 
(75.55 mg CO2/kg/h) which was statistically at par with 
fruits treated with Ca 0.0%+ Zn 0.0%+B 0.4% (T2) and Ca 
0.0%+ Zn 0.0%+B 0.8% (T3) and Ca 0.0%+ Zn 0.8%+B 
0.0% (T7). In general it is noted that combined sprays 
reduced the rate of respiration considerably. After 6 days 
it gradually decreased in untreated lots as it came to 
44.61 mg CO2/kg/h from 75.55 mg CO2/kg/h. However, 
after 9 days minimum rate of respiration (44.61 mg 
CO2/kg/h) was recorded in untreated fruits T1 (Ca 0.0%+ 
Zn 0.0%+B 0.0%). Among treated fruits, the minimum 
(62.10 mg CO2/kg/h) rate of respiration was recorded in 
fruits treated with Ca 0.8%+Zn 0.4%+B 0.4% (T23). The 
respiration rate after 12 days of storage was minimum in 
untreated fruits (30.06 mg CO2/kg/h), which was 
significantly lower as compared to remaining other 
treatments, in which it ranged between 56.54 and 64.22 
mg CO2/kg/h. Among treated fruits lowest rate was 

recorded in T25 (56.54 mg CO2/kg/h) though it was 
statistically at par with other treated fruits. 
 
 
Effect of Ca, Zn and B on biochemical properties of 
mango fruit during storage  
 
Total soluble solids  
 
Data reveal (Table 1) that TSS increased consistently as 
process of ripening proceeded with advancement of 
storage period regardless of the treatments up to 9 days 
and it declined a little thereafter on prolongation of 
storage in both the years of study under all the 
treatments including control. In the beginning of the 
experiment maximum TSS content of fruit pulp was 
recorded with T23 (9.51

0
brix). After 3 days storage slight  



 

050       Int. J. Agric. Sci. 
 
 
 

Table 2. Starch content as influenced by Ca, Zn and B at different storage period.  
 

Treatments Starch (%) 

Days after harvest 

 0 3 6 9 12 

T1 11.73 9.60 2.36 0.15 0.02 

T2 12.00 11.56 3.08 0.28 0.05 

T3 12.02 11.48 2.99 0.26 0.05 

T4 12.97 12.50 3.68 0.30 0.05 

T5 12.42 12.13 3.80 0.37 0.07 

T6 12.82 12.25 3.86 0.35 0.07 

T7 12.02 11.59 3.11 0.30 0.05 

T8 12.40 12.03 4.34 0.39 0.07 

T9 12.45 12.14 3.83 0.39 0.07 

T10 13.01 12.54 3.70 0.32 0.07 

T11 12.47 12.13 4.43 0.42 0.07 

T12 12.42 12.05 4.36 0.39 0.07 

T13 12.97 12.12 4.78 0.55 0.07 

T14 13.12 12.37 4.66 0.58 0.08 

T15 13.06 12.08 4.97 0.57 0.08 

T16 12.72 12.12 4.23 0.53 0.07 

T17 13.46 12.67 5.16 0.62 0.09 

T18 14.06 12.90 4.95 0.59 0.09 

T19 13.25 12.48 3.85 0.35 0.07 

T20 12.67 12.00 4.20 0.50 0.07 

T21 12.49 12.13 4.44 0.44 0.07 

T22 12.90 12.29 4.63 0.57 0.08 

T23 14.47 13.82 5.85 0.69 0.09 

T24 14.02 13.13 5.41 0.66 0.09 

T25 12.99 12.14 4.81 0.57 0.08 

T26 14.25 13.39 5.61 0.66 0.09 

T27 13.91 12.91 5.33 0.63 0.09 

Mean 12.93 12.24 4.31 0.46 0.07 

 
 
 
increase in level of TSS content was noticed under all 
treatments thereafter, considerable increase in TSS 
content was recorded between 3 and 6 days of storage 
under all treatments including control. After 3 days 
highest TSS were seen in fruits treated with T23 
(11.32

0
brix), which was significantly higher as compared 

to untreated fruits (9.88
0
brix). T23 treatment showed a 

significant difference in TSS contents and proved its 
superiority over other treatments at all the stages of 
storage. After 6 days of storage the rise in TSS content 
was significant as average of all treatments was 
17.90

0
brix as compared to 10.74

0
brix reported after 3 

days storage. However, the content of TSS with T23 was 
at par after 6 days of storage with T24 (19.16

0
brix) and T22 

(18.53
0
brix), after 9 days of storage with T14, T17, T18, T21, 

T24, T25, T26 and T27 and after 12 day of harvesting/ 
storage with T26. 
 
 
Total Carotenoids  
 
The data given in Table 1 indicate that Carotenoids 
contents increased with the days of storage as pooled 
average of both years (2006 and 2007) at 0 day was only 
0.313 mg/100 g pulp, which rose to 5.010 mg/100 g pulp 
after 9 days storage but after 12 days this declined to 
4.910 mg/100g pulp. After 3 days of storage the 
Carotenoids ranged between 1.236 mg and 1.392 mg/100 g  



 

Yadava    et al.              051 
 
 
 
pulp showing more or less same as there was no critical 
difference among various treatments. The significant 
differences were observed among treatments after 6 
days of storage. The untreated fruits have shown 3.339 
mg Carotenoids per 100g of pulp at an average which 
was significantly lower as compared to other treated lots. 
The highest carotenoids was recorded with T23 i.e. 5.076, 
5.105 and 5.079 mg/100g after 6, 9 and 12 days of 
storage, respectively. 
 
Starch  
 
From data it is evident that starch content was quite high 
at the time of harvesting, which declined sharply during 
storage (Table 2). However this decline was slow up to 3 
days and thereafter it was very rapid. The average of all 
treatments was 12.93 % at the time of harvesting, which 
came down to 12.24% after 3 days, 4.28 % after 6 days, 
0.46 % after 9 days and finally 0.07 % after 12 days of 
storage. 

It is quite clear that pre-harvest sprays of Ca, Zn, and B 
significantly affected the starch contents at the time of 
harvesting. The maximum starch content was recorded in 
T23 (14.97%) which was significantly higher as compared 
to other treatments except T26 (14.25%), T18 (14.06 %) 
and T24 (14.02 %). After storage of 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days 
untreated fruits showed 11.73, 9.60, 2.36, 0.15 and 
0.02% starch content, respectively. Simultaneously, 
starch content among treated fruits was ranged from 12-
14.47, 11.48-13.82, 2.99-5.85, 0.26-0.69 and 0.05-
0.09%, respectively. However, treatment T23 consistently 
showed its efficacy in maintaining higher starch content 
over other treatments during the experimentation. 
 
Tannins 
 
The data (Table 3) clearly indicate that just after 
harvesting tannin contents gradually declined in all the 
samples with the advent of storage period and every time 
this decrease was statistically significant. It is seen that at 
the time of harvesting the average of all treatments was 
0.154 %, which declined to 0.138% after 3 days and to 
0.107 % after 6 days of storage. After 9 days a rapid 
decline was noted and this average came to 0.047 % and 
after 12 days of storage this average became as low as 
0.028%. 
None of the treatments showed significant effect on the 
tannin contents of fruits of freshly harvested and at 3 
days storage. The effect of treatments was only visible 
after 6 days of storages. However, the tannins in fruits 
was maximum wtihT23 treatment (Ca 0.8% + Zn 0.4% .+ 
B 0.4 %) at all the stages of storage. 
 
Pectin  
 
From the data it is evident content that pre-harvest 
sprays of Ca, Zn, and B significantly affected the pectin 

content of fruits (Table 3). The date revealed that pectin 
content of all sample decreased with the advent of 
storage period as at the time of harvesting the average of 
pectin of all samples was 0.486 %, which finally come 
down 0.078 % after 12 days storage.  

Among the freshly harvested fruits minimum pectin 
content was observed in untreated samples (0.440 %) 
and maximum pectin content was recorded with T23 
(0.540%) followed by T26 (0.536%), T22 (0.523%) and T24 
(0.513 %). After 3 days of storage minimum pectin was 
recorded in untreated fruits (0.268%), which was 
significantly lower as compared to other treated lots 
except T2 (0.283 %). At this stage T27 demonstrated 
maximum pectin content (0.478%), which was 
significantly higher as compared to other treatments 
except T26 (0.437%) and T24 (0.430%), which were 
statistically at par with it. At 6 and 9 days storage 
maximum pectin was observed with T23 being 0.363 and 
0.264%, respectively. Although, the pectin content was 
dropped considerably after 12 days of storage among all 
treated and untreated fruits yet fruits treated with T23 
treatment showed steadily decline in the pectin content. 
 
 
DISCUSSION 
 
The most important postharvest need is the retention of 
physico-chemical quality as well as enhanced shelf life of 
fruits, so that excellent quality fruits can be marketed for 
good price for extended period. Several manipulations 
are possible so as to provide best nutrition to trees to 
produce quality fruits of mango. There is a great role of 
pre-harvest cultural techniques, to increase the shelf life 
of fruits. Out of such cultural techniques one is to apply of 
plant nutrients like Ca, Zn and B as pre harvest foliar 
spray during the period of fruit growth. As results 
apparently demonstrate that respiratory activity was 
higher in freshly harvested fruits, after that a slight fall 
was recorded at the commencement of storage at about 
3 days under all treatments including control. It is a fact 
that respiration decreases as the fruit mature and then 
the respiratory rise commences with ripening. Ethylene 
production also decreases as fruit matures (Akamine and 
Goo, 1973). 
The rise in climacteric onset occurred in between 3 and 6 
days of storage, in all treatments, whereas in this period, 
control fruits showed achievement in climacteric peak 
with steep fall, at this stage due to previous high 
respiration rate the quantity of material available for 
further respiration decreased considerably.  While in the 
treated fruits climacteric peak occurred at 9th day of 
storage. It is established fact that climacteric peak in 
fruits, occur due to higher ethylene evolution. Mattoo and 
Modi (1969) suggested that together with the ethylene 
evolution and respiration climacteric in mangoes, the 
catalase and peroxidase activity was found to increase 
considerably during ripening. Thus, calcium treated fruits  



 

052       Int. J. Agric. Sci. 
 
 
 

Table 3. Effect of preharvest application of Ca, Zn and B on Tannin and pectin content in mango fruit.  
 

Treatments Tannin (%) Pectin (%) 

 Days after harvest Days after harvest 

 0 3 6 9 12 0 3 6 9 12 

T1 0.144 0.124 0.066 0.027 0.020 0.440 0.268 0.107 0.049 0.019 

T2 0.148 0.133 0.088 0.029 0.023 0.453 0.283 0.169 0.085 0.044 

T3 0.150 0.131 0.092 0.029 0.022 0.444 0.286 0.172 0.078 0.042 

T4 0.142 0.121 0.101 0.030 0.023 0.475 0.293 0.178 0.095 0.047 

T5 0.163 0.132 0.106 0.045 0.025 0.463 0.338 0.213 0.118 0.067 

T6 0.151 0.137 0.110 0.041 0.023 0.450 0.293 0.157 0.092 0.052 

T7 0.150 0.134 0.094 0.030 0.023 0.449 0.286 0.169 0.092 0.048 

T8 0.162 0.133 0.110 0.047 0.026 0.456 0.345 0.198 0.115 0.066 

T9 0.152 0.141 0.113 0.043 0.023 0.463 0.343 0.205 0.120 0.065 

T10 0.147 0.126 0.104 0.032 0.024 0.473 0.355 0.240 0.125 0.068 

T11 0.152 0.145 0.108 0.046 0.027 0.482 0.363 0.250 0.128 0.070 

T12 0.150 0.134 0.100 0.039 0.026 0.513 0.361 0.235 0.125 0.068 

T13 0.155 0.144 0.117 0.051 0.028 0.511 0.363 0.243 0.134 0.078 

T14 0.154 0.139 0.120 0.061 0.032 0.497 0.409 0.289 0.162 0.098 

T15 0.160 0.133 0.110 0.055 0.031 0.513 0.416 0.314 0.204 0.096 

T16 0.154 0.141 0.117 0.051 0.027 0.486 0.415 0.235 0.135 0.078 

T17 0.151 0.139 0.120 0.061 0.036 0.506 0.412 0.315 0.193 0.102 

T18 0.166 0.141 0.110 0.058 0.034 0.492 0.437 0.256 0.165 0.099 

T19 0.151 0.132 0.100 0.038 0.026 0.478 0.358 0.241 0.124 0.070 

T20 0.153 0.139 0.115 0.048 0.026 0.487 0.415 0.230 0.133 0.078 

T21 0.152 0.143 0.108 0.043 0.025 0.482 0.364 0.248 0.125 0.072 

T22 0.164 0.134 0.118 0.053 0.033 0.523 0.367 0.244 0.124 0.088 

T23 0.170 0.153 0.124 0.064 0.040 0.540 0.478 0.363 0.264 0.138 

T24 0.155 0.152 0.116 0.062 0.037 0.513 0.430 0.331 0.219 0.127 

T25 0.156 0.149 0.112 0.052 0.032 0.511 0.363 0.228 0.137 0.082 

T26 0.155 0.151 0.117 0.067 0.034 0.538 0.437 0.356 0.219 0.127 

T27 0.163 0.141 0.114 0.060 0.033 0.495 0.450 0.297 0.207 0.117 

Mean 0.154 0.138 0.107 0.047 0.028 0.486 0.367 0.240 0.139 0.078 

 
 
 
might have delayed rise in catalase and peroxidase 
activities as compared to control. The decrease in rate of 
respiration after 9th and 12th day in control and treated 
fruits, respectively, may be due to depletion of acids 
during respiratory processes (Cheema and Dani, 1934). 

However in all the treated fruits significant reduction in 
respiration rate was recorded as compared to control. 
The reduced respiration rate was noted with T23 (Ca 
0.8%+Zn 0.4%+B 0.4%). It might be due to presence of 
higher concentration of calcium, which is the constituent 
of cell wall, slows the process of respiration and over 
ripening and zinc regulates the semi permeability of cell 
walls, which slows the processes of respiration thereby 
delay the senescence. Treated fruits did not develop an 

ethylene rise because of inhibition of autocatalytic 
production of ethylene in fruits. Jones and Lunt (1967) 
and Bain and Mercer (1963) reported that in calcium 
controlled the disintegration of mitochondria, endoplasmic 
reticulum and cytoplasmic membrane and thus, it helped 
in retarding the rate of respiration. The results of present 
experiment therefore are in agreement with the earlier 
findings recorded in mango (Wavhal and Athale, 1988) 
and apricot (Sud and Bhutani, 1989). 

During storage TSS of fruits varied significantly with 
different treatments. The increase in TSS was noted up 
to 9 days of storage under all treatments applications. 
However, higher TSS was recorded in treated fruits as 
compared to control. The increase in TSS with the advance-  



 

Yadava    et al.              053 
 
 
 
ment of storage period may be assigned to hydrolysis of 
starch content of the fruits in the presence of enzymes, 
viz., α -amylase, β -amylase and starch phosphorelase, 
resulting in general increase in TSS (Salisbury and 
Ross,1974). The conversion of cell wall materials such as 
pectin and hemi cellulose into simple soluble sugars 
during storage may also be responsible for the increase 
TSS content. After 9 days storage total soluble solids 
sharply declined. The decline in TSS at later stages might 
be due to the utilization of carbohydrate and possibly 
oxidation of fat and proteins as the respiratory substrates 
as suggested by Bhullar et al., 1983. 

The maximum TSS was noted in the fruits treated with 
combined spray of Ca (0.8%), Zn (0.4%) and B (0.4%). 
This may probably be due to the increased metabolism of 
sugars mediated by boron from the source (Sisler et al., 
1956). Analogous observations to these findings were 
also reported by earlier workers in mango (Rath et al., 
1980; Daulta et al., 1981; Banik et al., 1997, Bhatt et al., 
2012), guava (Jayachandran et al., 2005) and banana 
(Kumar and Brahmachari, 2006; Jeyabaskaran and 
Pandey, 2008). 

The pulp Carotenoids level increased in all the 
treatments with advancement of storage. Higher level of 
Carotenoids was noticed up to 9

th
 day of storage under all 

treatments and fruits turned green to yellow and yellow-
orange by this day. However, the total carotenoids 
increased up to 9th day and later on they decreased. 
Fruits treated with calcium, zinc and boron showed higher 
carotenoids as compared to control. These treatments 
increased the permeability of external tissue and 
activated the enzymatic activities, which are responsible 
for carotene synthesis, hence it hastened the ripening 
and development of colour. The results was in agreement 
with the finding of Subramanyam and Sebastian (1970), 
Wavhal and Athale (1988) and Krishnamurthy (1989) in 
mango. On contrary, Haribabu and Krishamurthy (1993) 
in Alphonso mango and Ramkrishna et al. (2001) in 
papaya reported that the rate of increase in total 
carotenoids was more in the control fruits as compared to 
fruits sprayed with higher concentration of calcium 
chloride and calcium nitrate. 
Findings of present investigation indicate that tannin 
contents decreased gradually as the storage advanced. 
In the present experiment, it seems that oxidase activity 
after being more or less constant for an earlier part of 
storage, it slightly increased or remained constant 
towards the subsequent period of storage. Similarly, 
tannin content decreased towards the end of storage. 
Thus, fall in tannin during storage may be partly attributed 
to the general increase in oxidase activity noticed in 
present case. Tannins are water soluble phenolics found 
in peel and pulp of fruits. Ripening polymerizes the 
tannins resulting in a loss of astringency. In the present 
case treated fruits showed higher tannin content as 
compared to control may be slow processes of ripening 
as influenced by calcium, zinc and boron. 

The higher percentage of starch was recorded in 
mango fruits at the time of harvesting and thereafter there 
was a gradual fall in starch content up to 9 days storage. 
After 12 days of storage nearly total starch was 
hydrolyzed and negligible quantity remained. This finding 
corroborate with Biale (1960), who also reported almost 
complete hydrolysis of starch in the mango fruits during 
ripening. In earlier stage, approximately equal 
concentration of glucose and fructose, together with a 
little sucrose appear. After prolonged storage, level of all 
three sugars decreased. The mango, on the other hand, 
showed a large increase in sucrose concentration and a 
smaller proportion of reducing sugars as starch is 
hydrolyzed. Later in storage, sucrose tends to disappear 
and is replaced by an equal amount of reducing sugars. 
Such losses of starch, in the present study could possibly 
be attributed to activation of hydrolytic enzymes resulted 
in increased conversion of starch into sugars. A higher 
accumulation of starch in treated fruits as compared to 
control up to 9 days storage was seen, probably Ca, Zn 
and B application might have brought about certain 
changes in metabolism of fruits reflecting in more 
accumulation of food constituents in the developing fruits 
and thus, ultimately resulted comparatively higher content 
of starch than control. 

Results of present experiment depict that pectin 
content of fruit pulp decreased with corresponding 
increase in storage period. The fall in total pectin during 
storage was observed to be associated with the 
occurrence of slight mealiness in the fruit, presumably 
through the degradation of polygalacturonic acid chains 
since, the viscosity of extracted pectin was found to 
decrease in fruits (Eggenberger, 1949; Mc Cready and 
Mc Comb, 1954). The PME activity remained low on fruits 
treated with Ca, Zn and B. PME is responsible for the de-
esterification of pectin required before PG starts the 
depolymerization of pectins associated with fruit softening 
(Mc Cready et al., 1955). Higher values of pectin content 
were recorded with the foliar nutrition of calcium, zinc and 
boron. This may be due to fact that these nutrients 
retarded process of softening which resulted in 
corresponding retardation of both polygalacturonase (PG) 
and galactosidase activities (Lazon and Ali, 1993). Such 
losses of sugars could possibly be attributed to hydrolysis 
of galactanes and arabino galactans by galactosidase 
having galactonase activity, tissue softness and 
increased pectin solubility and degradation suggest that 
β-galactocidase might play an important role in the cell 
wall pectin modification and softening of mango fruits 
during ripening (Ali et al., 1995). Several other workers 
Singh and Chauhan (1981) and Jayachandran, (2005) 
also recorded higher pectin content and lower PME 
activity application with calcium in guava fruits. 

An improvement in quality of the fruit was also recorded 
with pre harvest spray of Ca 0.8% + Zn 0.4% + B 0.4%  
application as evident by higher TSS, sugar, sugar: acid 
blend, total Carotenoids,  pectin  and  better  organoleptic  



 

054       Int. J. Agric. Sci. 
 
 
 
rating ,i.e., texture, colour, flavour and taste), which is 
desirable for quality fruit, during both the years of study. 
Thus, minimizing post-harvest losses and increasing 
consumer’s acceptability by maintaining the different 
quality parameters for long time during storage provided 
the great market potential for the "Dashehari" fruits. It 
may further be concluded that Ca 0.8% + Zn 0.4% + B 
0.4% is most suitable combination for pre-harvest foliar 
spray on ‘Dashehari’ mango to achieve of more uniform 
ripening, better quality and improved post harvest shelf 
life under subtropical condition.  
 
 

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