Mango 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.

Stem-end rot is decay that begins around the stalk attachment of harvested fruit and may extend into the flesh during ripening. Several fungi can be involved in mangoes, including species associated with latent infections and wounded tissue. Sound-looking fruit at harvest can therefore develop symptoms later. Gentle handling, appropriate sanitation, and suitable storage help reduce losses, but the name alone does not identify the exact organism. Do not confuse normal sap staining with progressive soft decay around the stem.