Effect of pre-harvest fruit bagging on development and quality of mango cv Kesar under western Maharashtra conditions

The present investigations were carried out at the Department of Horticulture, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Maharashtra during 2019–2022 to study the effect of pre-harvest bagging on the quality of mango fruits (cv Kesar). The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with eight treatments and three replications, including different bag types viz newspaper bag, brown paper bag, brown paper bag with polythene coating, skirting bag, polythene bag, butter paper bag, muslin cloth bag and control (no bagging). The results revealed that bagging had a significant effect on the quality of mango fruits. Among all treatments, skirting bag recorded the highest fruit weight (226.86 g), TSS (20.49 °Brix), total sugars (13.93%) and reducing sugars (5.12%), along with the best overall acceptability (8.35). Brown paper bag and butter paper bag also performed better with higher fruit weight, improved biochemical parameters and extended shelf life. Bagging markedly reduced fruit fly infestation, which was highest in control (12.88%) and negligible in most other treatments. However, no significant effect of bagging was observed on stem-end rot incidence. Economically, the skirting bag treatment recorded the highest net return (Rs 161,384/ha) and benefit-cost ratio (2.70), followed by butter paper bag. The study concludes that pre-harvest fruit bagging, particularly with skirting and brown paper bags, enhances fruit quality, reduces pest infestation and improves profitability in mango cv Kesar under western Maharashtra conditions.