International Journal of Horticulture, 2024, Vol.14, No.3, 175-185 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 176 of microbial growth. Several post-harvest treatments such as physical, chemical, and gaseous treatments such as heat treatment, edible coating, Nitric oxide, Antimicrobial, ethylene, controlled and atmosphere storage are used to extend the shelf life of fruits (Chhetri and Ghimire, 2023). One such plant growth regulator compound is salicylic acid (SA) which plays an important role in regulating a variety of physiological processes in plants. The effect of SA on delaying fruit ripening, softening, and reducing disease resistance and reducing disease incidence were discussed by various researchers (Raskin, 1992). Thus, in order to study the beneficial carryover effects of post-harvest application of SA on the post-harvest quality during storage, the current experiment was designed with five different concentrations of SA with four replications (Reddy and Sharma, 2016). Salicylic acid inhibits ethylene production and/or activity and forms complexes with organic molecules in the cell wall of epidermal cells, conferring resistance to degrading enzymes. Salicylic acid extends storage life by decreasing ethylene biosynthesis, respiration, and transpiration, as well as water loss and decays infection through stomatal closure of the fruit surface, preserving firmness, and delaying the Senescence stage by preventing polyphenol oxidase activity (Abdel Salam et al., 2022). 1 Materials and Methods The cultivar used for this study was Bombay green and it was carried out in the Horticulture lab of the CNRM Bardibas in, Bardibas Mahottari, Nepal. The location falls in the Terai region of Madhesh Province of Nepal. The research region was located at an elevation of 165 masl at a latitude between 26.8762°N and a longitude between 85.8077°E. The experiment was conducted from 4th June 2023 to 18th June 2023. 80% mature mango cv. Bombay green free from disease and bruises collected from farmer’s field Mithila Municipality, Dhanusha. Then, the fruits were washed in water to remove any foreign particles like dust, mud and allowed to dry. 1.1 Preparation of the salicylic acid Salicylic acid of 300 mg, 600 mg, 900 mg, and 1,200 mg, were weighed with the help of a digital weighing machine and were dissolved in 10 mL of ethanol at a mild warm state and produced up to 5 liters with distilled water to create solutions of 50 ppm,100 ppm, 150 ppm, and 200 ppm. 1.2 Design of experiment In terms of experimental design, a completely randomized design (CRD) was employed with five treatment combinations and four replicates. The details of the treatments are as follows: the control group (T1) was treated with distilled water, while experimental treatments received varying concentrations of salicylic acid. T2 received 50 ppm of salicylic acid, T3 received 100 ppm, T4 received 150 ppm, and T5 received 200 ppm of salicylic acid. These treatment combinations were chosen to assess the effects of salicylic acid on the experimental subjects, aiming to elucidate its potential roles in plant growth and physiological responses. The use of CRD ensured random allocation of treatments, thereby minimizing external factors' influence on experimental outcomes and enhancing the reliability and accuracy of the data obtained. 1.3 Atmospheric condition of the laboratory In the laboratory, atmospheric conditions were monitored three times daily—8:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 5:00 pm—using a thermo-hygrometer (Figure 1). This allowed for a comprehensive assessment of the environment's temperature and relative humidity throughout the experimental period. On June 4th, 2023, the laboratory experienced an average maximum temperature of 31.7 °C and a minimum of 26.4 °C. Similarly, on June 18th, 2023, the average maximum temperature recorded was 31.7 °C, with a minimum of 26.4 °C. These fluctuations in temperature were accompanied by varying levels of relative humidity, reaching an average maximum of 85% and a minimum of 95% on the same dates. These conditions are crucial for understanding the environmental factors that could potentially influence the outcomes of the experiment. By consistently monitoring temperature and relative humidity, we aimed to maintain stable experimental conditions and minimize any confounding effects on the experimental results.
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