X-ray analysis: a non-destructive detection of stone weevil, Sternochetus mangiferae in mango fruits

Mango stone weevil, Sternochetus mangiferae is a bottle neck for export of Indian mangoes. As the fruits infested with S. mangiferae do not show any external symptoms, X-ray radiography was employed for non-destructive detection of stone weevil infestation in mangoes. The X-ray at 20 - 34 kVP voltage, 12 - 20 mA current with a distance of 38 cms from platform to source was optimum for detection of stone weevil infestation in mango fruits. Out off 565 mangoes scanned, Bangalore showed 32.5% infestation followed by Neelam 20%, Banganapalli 8.8%, while no infestation was observed in Malgoa and Rumani varieties. The fruits recorded as infested in the X-ray, when cut opened matched with the X-ray images. X-ray radiography can be employed for non-destructive detection of S. mangiferae for phytosanitary certification in plant quarantine programmes.