3.4.5.5Precautions to be taken before packaging:
i) Mandarins should be plucked at appropriate maturity, keeping in view the
time span of the market.
ii) Mandarins should be sorted and graded as per accepted quality standards,
before packing. Only sound fruits should be packed.
iii) Before packing, post-harvest treatment with wax and fungicides should be
resorted to as a prophylactic measure against pathogenic invasion in transit.
iv) For prevention of bruising/abrasion injuries, paper liners, pads, trays or
tissue wraps may be used. As an alternative, cushioning with easily available
paddy straw keeps the packing cost minimum. It will maintain a level of
R.H. because of moisture absorbing tendency of the paddy straw and keep the
temperature down.
v) Careful placement of Mandarins in the cartons is necessary to avoid bruising.
The use of telescopic boxes can overcome this problem very well.
vi) For securing packages, use of adhesive tape (3 to 4 cm) may be used. The
packages can also be secured with thin rope of coconut fiber, or polythene
sutli, as an alternative.