Mangos

Mangos, originally uploaded by Ladymaggic.

The Mango trees are now bearing huge crops of fruit.

Queensland produced 33,000 tonnes of mangoes with a gross value of $75 million in 2004-05. About 90% of the state's production goes to domestic markets. The main production areas are the Atherton Tableland, Burdekin, Bowen, and Rockhampton.

http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/26_7716.htm

Sapburn occurs when the sap that first squirts from the fruit at destemming comes in contact with the fruit skin. It is worst in Kensington Pride. Use harvesting and handling techniques that minimise sap coming in contact with mango skin.

Q: Which sapburn protectant should I use?

A: The choice of protectant chemical depends on the harvest and desapping system being used.

The fruit is covered with detergent before the stalk is removed to prevent sap directly contacting the skin. As the fruit are placed on the packing line water sprays remove the detergent and any sap residue. The best choice in this situation are detergents such as Cold Power® or LOC or wetting agents such as Agral®. The mixing rate is 1 mL or 1 g per litre of water. Staff who desap fruit must keep their hands clean of sap as a lot of sapburn has been attributed to ´sappy fingers´.