# Mango Fruit Detachment of Trees after Applying a Blend Composed of HNO3 and Charcoal Activated

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a new method for detaching mangoes from trees using a blend of nitric acid and activated charcoal, which could help address labor shortages in mango harvesting.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel fruit detachment method using a nitric acid and activated charcoal blend for efficient mango harvesting.

## Key findings

- The medium blend of AC and HNO3 was most efficient, detaching mangoes in an average of 2 hours.
- The dense blend reduced latex exudation to 7% of the fruits.
- Fruit maturity and weight were key factors influencing detachment time.

## Abstract

As young workers prefer urban labors and migrate to USA and Canada, mango harvesting is becoming scarce on Mexican coasts. This seasonal labor is becoming expensive and when many orchards produce fruit simultaneously, grower losses increase. In this research, an innovative fruit detachment method was tested after applying a viscous paste to the pedicel of mango fruits hanging in the tree. Activated carbon or charcoal (AC), was mixed with different amounts of nitric acid to provide three AC composite blends named: light, medium, and dense. The nanomaterial was applied with a brush to the fruit pedicel/peduncle taking up to 4 h before the mango fruits felt to a net below the tree canopy. Mango detachment experiments indicated that the medium blend was the most efficient in releasing the fruit, taking an average of 2 h. The dense nano-material decreased latex exudation to 7% of the fruits. Fruit maturity emerged as a crucial factor for detachment time, followed by mango weight.