Spongy tissue in ‘Alphonso’ mango. III. Radiotracer evidence for increased mobilization of water from mesocarp to seed

Abstract

Experiments with radioactive tritium provided conclusive evidence for increased mobilization of water in to seed from a pre-destined region of mesocarp during spongy tissue (ST) formation in ‘Alphonso’ mango. Results on tritium counts from pre-harvest PGR treated fruits clearly established that an increased mobilization of water from mesocarp to seed precedes ST formation and is closely associated with physiological status vis-à-vis metabolic activity of the seed. The fact that applied PGRs did not directly affect amylase activity in the mesocarp irrespective of whether the seed was physiologically active or damaged due to mango stone weevil (MSW) infestation, further substantiated the causative role of seed in ST formation of ‘Alphonso’ mango. The findings of the present study besides resolving the enigma of spongy tissue in ‘Alphonso’ mango have also opened up new vistas in the understanding and management of similar internal breakdown disorders of tropical fruit species endowed with recalcitrant seeds.