A?NEW fruit ripening facility at the Coastal Plains Research Farm has been welcomed by mango growers as an invaluable tool for the industry.
The new building and equipment will also aid research aimed at boosting the quality of Northern Territory mangoes and other fruit.
Operated by the NT Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, the facility allows growers to receive immediate feedback on the ripening patterns of their mangoes, and quickly identify any diseases or problems with the fruit.
Some of the hi-tech tools available include a near-infrared spectrometer, colour meter, and texture meter.
The instruments also allow for remote monitoring, so environmental conditions can be adjusted from afar.
Ross Maxwell, president of the NT Mango Association and grower at Jabiru Tropical Orchards told the Katherine Times that it was money well spent.
“It’s a tool that was really missing up until now,”?he said.
“I think the facility will help growers because it gives invaluable and immediate feedback on how their fruit will ripen up.
“And they really need that feedback, and instead of having to wait up to 10 days, this facility does it in just a few days, and allows us to address the issues that arise because of things like sap burn, skin browning.”
Mr Maxwell has already used the facility to ripen a few trays and said the timely report on how the fruit will ripen allows him to ship his mangoes with confidence.
“It’s one of the tools growers need, and if we’ve got any
problems we’ll know about it, and are picking up on it straight away,” he said.
