Post-Harvest Interventions for Reduction of Anthracnose-induced Losses in Banana (Musa paradisiaca L.)

Abstract

Post-harvest anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum musae is a major constraint to the storability, marketability and profitability of banana. The present investigation assessed the effectiveness of selected post-harvest treatments in controlling anthracnose, extending shelf life and reducing post-harvest losses in banana. Mature green fruits were subjected to ten post-harvest treatments comprising physical, chemical, biological and integrated approaches, along with an untreated control, under a Completely Randomized Design. The treatments differed significantly for all parameters studied. An integrated treatment involving hot water treatment at 52 °C for 5 minutes followed by chitosan coating (1%) was the most effective, recording the lowest anthracnose incidence (18.9%) and disease severity index (11.4%) compared with the control (68.4% and 42.6, respectively). This treatment also significantly extended shelf life (14.5 days) relative to untreated fruits (7.0 days) and reduced post-harvest losses to 12.4% as against 34.5% in the control. Economically, the same treatment resulted in the highest net returns (₹11.80 kg⁻¹) and benefit-cost ratio (1.95). The findings clearly establish that integrated post-harvest interventions provide an effective and economically sustainable strategy for managing anthracnose and minimizing post-harvest losses in banana.