STUDI PENGENDALIAN GETAH KUNING DAN PENGERASAN KULIT BUAH MANGGIS (Garcinia mangostana L) DENGAN PENYEMPROTAN KALSIUM

Abstract

Calcium is one of important elements of membrane component and strengthen cell wall. Calcium is normally bound to pectin compound as a middle lamella component. Calcium deficiency effect the degradation of cell wall integrity. Low calcium content in the pericarp of mangosteen fruit could triggering the incidence of yellow latex or gamboges disorder on aryl and fruit pericarp. An experiment was conducted to determine the optimum combination of spraying frequency and concentration of CaCl2 in controlling yellow latex and pericarp hardening. Factorial experiment was designed with two factors and three replications. The first factor was frequency of CaCl2 spraying that consist of three levels, i.e twice, four and six times. The second factor was calcium concentration that consist of four levels, i.e 0, 12, 24 and 36 g l-1. Result indicated that the combination of frequency of six times with 24 g l- 1is effective to reduce yellow latex in fruit pericarp without pericarp hardening at harvest time and after 20 days storage.