Abstract
Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) cv. ‘Fuerte’ is highly valued for its nutritional quality but remains vulnerable to rapid ripening, chilling injury, and fungal decay, which limits it’s storability under export conditions. This study evaluated synergistic pre harvest interventions (silicon supplementation, kaolin particle film, vermi-wash + Trichoderma) in combination with natural post-harvest coatings (Aloe vera gel, chitosan, Arabic gum, and chitosan + peppermint oil) using a split plot in RCBD across two seasons 2023 and 2024. Pre harvest bio stimulants significantly enhanced fruit physiology, increasing average fruit weight (up to 315 g), dry matter (23.8%), and firmness (83 N), with vermi-wash + Trichoderma (PH₃) producing the most advanced fruit. Post-harvest coatings reduced weight loss by 30–35%, delayed skin color change (ΔE reduced by 3 – 4 units), and suppressed decay incidence by up to 65%, with chitosan + peppermint oil (C₄) consistently outperforming other coatings. The integrated PH₃ × C₄ treatment minimized decay (12.1% vs. 35.2% in control), reduced electrolyte leakage, improved ripening synchrony (SD firmness 1.6 N vs. 3.2 N), and extended shelf life to 9–10 days compared with 4–5 days in untreated fruit. These results demonstrate that coupling orchard bio stimulant practices with eco friendly antifungal coatings provide synergistic benefits, offering a scalable, sustainable framework for delaying ripening and strengthening defense in ‘Fuerte’ avocado supply chains under climate stress and export demands.