Australian scientists have worked out what causes ugly veins to appear in mangoes — a breakthrough that could save the industry millions of dollars each year. Although RCD-infected mangoes are safe to eat, the blemishes and discolouration makes the fruit unsaleable.
Now, scientists found that RCD spread simply by touching the surface of infected fruit and unaffected mangoes. Now known to be spread as a bacteria, it makes it easier to target what control measures are needed
"When we started doing trials we were initially thinking it would be quite difficult to spread," said research leader Dr Cameron McConchie. "But we ended up doing alcohol washes on our hands, otherwise we'd spread it by just simply touching the surface of the fruit between infected and unaffected mangoes. Prior to this research we were in a situation where people were saying RCD was maybe caused by temperature changes or a change in fertiliser. But now we know it's a bacteria it makes it much easier for everyone to target what the likely control measures are."
Chief executive of the Australian Mango Industry Association, Robert Gray, said the RCD breakthrough was big news for mango growers. "Having consumers and retailers have confidence in our product really underpins our ability to promote the product, and to drive consumption and profitability in the industry.”
Source: abc.net.au
