Origin Fruit Group Mango Packing Protocol

QUALITY STANDARDS

*Images from Queensland Mango Quality Assessment Manual

Quality control DEFECTS | ALL EU CLASS I

MANGO SCAB appears as grey to grey-brown lesions with dark, irregular margins. These raised lesions expand with fruit growth, becoming cracked and corky, often resembling spray or thrips damage, or anthracnose scarring. It is caused by the fungus Elsinoë man giferae , with infections occurring during flowering and early fruit development.

BACTERIAL BLACK SPOT begins as small, water-soaked specks around lenticels, resembling fruit fly stings. These develop into raised black spots with greasy margins, sometimes cracking and oozing sap. As fruit matures, secondary rots and anthracnose can cause extensive decay. The bacteria spread in tear-stain patterns and may affect fruit and flower stalks, with symptoms visible at harvest.

SKIN STAINING on mangoes is identified by red to black discoloration on the fruit's sur face, typically starting around the stem end and streaking towards the nose. This condition is often observed after prolonged rain and can become the site where rots develop as the fruit ripens. The staining is usually associated with water flowing over the fruit, possibly from damaged plant material above, and may also involve fungal disease spores.

SOOTY BLOTCH on mangoes appears as dark grey to black stains, typically on the top half of the fruit, and worsens with prolonged wet weather. The stains cannot be removed by brushing but do not cause disease lesions after harvest. The condition is caused by saprophytic fungi from the order Dothideales.

SOOTY MOLD appears as dark or black patches on mangoes that can be rubbed away, revealing undamaged tissue. While it doesn’t cause disease lesions, its unsightly growth reduces fruit quality. Unlike sooty blotch, sooty mold can be removed by washing or brush ing after harvest. It is caused by saprophytic fungi that grow on sugar exudate from sucking insects like mango scale, pink wax scale, mango planthopper, and mango leafhopper. SHOULDER BLACKENING on mangoes is characterised by grey to black patches around the stem end, which may spread down the fruit in severe cases. The defect is su perficial and doesn’t affect the flesh. It is more common in younger orchards and is usually noticeable on harvested fruit, though it may appear as the fruit ripens. The exact cause is unknown, but it may be linked to younger trees.

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Origin Fruit Group | Mango Packing Guide