Glossary

A latent infection is an infection that remains present without immediately producing obvious disease symptoms. Mango anthracnose and some postharvest rots can involve infections that become conspicuous only as fruit ripens. A clean-looking harvest therefore does not prove that every fruit is free of pathogens. Careful orchard management, gentle handling, and suitable storage each have a role. Distinguish hidden infection from later contamination when investigating a batch, because the point of visible decay may not be the point where infection began.