This is a technique using an OMRI-listed organic product PROUD 3® as an additive for fruit and vegetable washes, which was pioneered by HUMA GRO®’s distributor in Guatemala.
The melons are cleaned initially with a mix of water and chlorine to remove any dirt from the field, then they pass through the PROUD 3® disinfectant to prevent the post-harvest diseases.
To disinfect Honeydew and Cantaloupe melons, the dosage is to add 5 milliliters of PROUD 3® for each liter of water used. Submerge the melons for a minimum of 15 seconds in the bath or spray the mixture on the melons for the same amount of time.
The PROUD 3® works to disinfect the melons and controls the incidence of bacteria and fungi.
In Guatemala some growers were losing from 25% to 70% of their production to mold and mildew diseases in transit to their markets. With the use of PROUD 3®, their transportation losses have been reduced to only 1% to 10%.
PROUD 3® can also be used to disinfect the refrigerator containers used to transport the pallets with the melon boxes. For this, use fumigation pumps or sprayers and mix a dosage of 10 milliliters of PROUD 3® for each 1 liter of water sprayed.
“We have eliminated almost all the diseases that normally develop in the post-harvest period and transport, especially the mildews and molds.”
For more field studies and research reports, please sign up here, check your email for login credentials, and login here.
Related Posts
This Week in Ag #66
When asked if he was finished with planting, dad would frequently respond by saying, “the first time.” His cynicism aside, replant decisions can be difficult. This year, too many growers are faced with that decision. If you plant when the soil is cold and wet, you’re inviting problems. But even if you plant in good soil conditions,...
This Week in Ag #88
No month is more associated with a crop than October is with a certain orange orb. That’s why it’s #NationalPumpkinMonth. Pumpkins are the centerpiece of the booming $1.25 billion US agritourism industry. You-pick pumpkin patches are a main attraction, providing family photo opportunities young mothers love even more than their pumpkin spice lattes. Corn mazes, apple...
This Week in Ag #77
Farmers waiting on a summer market rally must feel like teenagers waiting by the phone to be asked to the dance. Only their prospects are much dimmer. Capitalizing on summer rallies is how many farmers base their marketing plans. When you chart commodity prices throughout this century, highs typically spike during the summer months. That’s...
