This study was conducted to revalidate the efficacy of hot water treatment (HWT) as a standard protocol
in managing postharvest disease in 'Carabao' mangoes. We elucidated the possible reasons for the inadequacy
of HWT in management of anthracnose and stem-end rot. The effect of HWT on the cultures of
anthracnose and stem-end rot-causing pathogens and on the overall quality of fruit was examined. The
present investigation suggested 53 C for 20 min as optimal exposure for 'Carabao' mango. At this
exposure however, the propagules of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Lasiodiplodia theobromae were
not totally controlled. HWT was unstable in controlling C. gloeosporioides and L. theobromae as
demonstrated by high standard deviation of radial growth. HWT manner of control is fungistatic rather
than fungicidal as pathogens developed after treatment. Fungistatic activity of HWT was perhaps
inadequate to protect the fruit from decay due to absence of residual action. There were no significant
changes in the quality of 'Carabao' mangoes submerged in hot water at 53 C for 20 min whilst the
severity of anthracnose was reduced by 48.71%e52.63% and stem-end rot by 48%e60.86%.