Spongy tissue disorder and it’s control measure in Mangos

This disorder is commonly found in the ripe fruits of Alphonso variety. The disorder is manifested as non-edible, sour, yellowish, and sponge like patches with or without air pocket develops in the fruit during ripening. The affected fruits have a bad odour and become inferior in quality. It is reported that solar radiation keeps soil much heated and that heat emitted by soil by convective flux cause spongy tissue in the mesocarp. Mulching with paddy straw or dry grasses on the soil surface during hot months and early harvesting of fruits reduce the extent of the problem. This disorder has adversely affected the export potential of Alphonso. Mango hybrids Ratna and Arka Puneet are free from spongy tissue.