Pre-harvest bagging modulates fruit traits, phytochemical profiles and disease incidence in mango (Mangifera indica...

This study evaluates the impact of pre-harvest bagging on yield, quality, shelf life, disease incidence, and economic feasibility in the mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivar Mallika conducted at the Horticulture Research Center, Pantnagar. The experiment assessed six treatments using various bagging materials (brown paper, white paper, ordinary brown paper, butter paper, newspaper, and control). Pre-harvest bagging significantly enhanced fruit attributes, with organic/UV/water-resistant brown paper yielding the highest fruit weight (630.08 g), pulp weight (530.89 g), and TSS (22.67 °Brix). It also improved ascorbic acid content (41.53 mg/100 g) and total sugars (14.64%). Phytochemical composition analysis revealed a notable increase in carotenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic content with brown paper bag (Organic/ UV/ water resistant) and white paper bag (Organic/ UV/ water resistant), indicating improved nutritional quality. Fruits bagged with brown paper extended shelf life (11.67 days) and reduced incidence of major post-harvest diseases such as anthracnose, stem-end rot, and sooty mould. Economic analysis revealed a 53.18% higher net return and improved benefit-cost ratio with bagging compared to unbagged fruits. Correlation studies highlighted positive relationships between yield, fruit weight, and quality traits, while disease resistance was negatively correlated with fruit quality attributes revealed the effectiveness of this eco-friendly practice. PCA revealed that bagging techniques enhance mango fruit quality and reduce post-harvest diseases, with PC1 explaining most of the variation. This research demonstrates that pre-harvest bagging, particularly with organic/UV/water-resistant brown paper, offers a sustainable and profitable solution for enhancing mango quality, reducing pesticide usage, and meeting global market demands for high-quality, residue-free fruits.