Development of maturity standards for a new Australian mango cultivar, 'NMBP-1243'

Abstract

The National Mango Breeding Program (NMBP) was established in 1994 between agricultural agencies within Australia to develop new and superior mango genotypes. After 15 years of R&D breeding, three new hybrid cultivars were announced from the program, with each receiving their Plant Breeder's Rights in 2009. This paper describes the first postharvest work conducted on 'NMBP-1243', one of the new cultivars, to determine minimum harvest maturity standards. Fruit were harvested in Mareeba, Queensland, at consecutive intervals over the mango season, and assessed for quality at harvest and once ripened. The results indicated that several fruit attributes including flesh colour, Brix, acidity, percentage dry matter at harvest and heat sum units were all suitable maturity indicators. They also correlated well with flavour, with a minimum maturity for acceptable flavour equating to a flesh colour (hue) of 102, Brix of 7°, acidity of 2.3%, dry matter of 13% and a heat units sum (›12°C h) of 1040 h. These initial findings will assist in further developing postharvest protocols for this and other similar cultivars in the program.