HWT is widely used and currently the cheapest postharvest
protocol available in the Philippines for export of ‘Carabao’
mangoes. There were reports however that incidence of anthracnose
and stem-end rot is significant in Japan (Hilas Marketing
Corporation, personal communication). Likewise, fruit grown in
areas with prolonged wet periods as in Mindanao incur 20% loss
upon reaching Hong Kong due to anthracnose and stem end rot
(Esguerra et al., 2006). With the very strict phyto-sanitary
requirement of importing countries, particularly Japan, revisiting
HWT is a serious concern to sustain the marketability of ‘Carabao’
mangoes. The high incidences of postharvest diseases reported in
Japan and Hong Kong may occur in other countries importing
‘Carabao’ mangoes with HWT as postharvest protocol. The present
study investigated the inadequacy of HWT in managing anthracnose
and stem-end rot. We examined the effect of HWT on the
cultures of anthracnose and stem-end rot-causing pathogens, and
on the overall quality of fruit. The result of the present investigation
would provide benchmark information to improve the performance
of HWT in controlling postharvest diseases of ‘Carabao’
mangoes.