Influence of pre-harvest fruit bagging on quality attributes of fruit crops – a comprehensive review

Pre-harvest fruit bagging is an emerging horticultural technique that enhances fruit quality while promoting sustainable pest and disease management. By enclosing developing fruits in protective bags, this method shields them from biotic and abiotic stresses, resulting in improved external attributes such as uniform coloration, smoother texture, and increased size as well as internal qualities like balanced sugar-acid ratios, enriched aroma, and superior flavour retention. The practice reduces reliance on synthetic pesticides, minimizes mechanical damage, extends shelf life, and lowers post-harvest losses, aligning with integrated pest management strategies. Despite challenges including labour intensity, cost, and environmental concerns over conventional bagging materials, advancements in biodegradable and crop-specific solutions offer promising alternatives. It is widely adopted in various fruits globally, including mango, banana, guava, grape, apple and litchi. As global demand for high-quality, residue-free produce grows; pre-harvest bagging presents a viable approach to enhancing both productivity and sustainability in modern fruit production. Continued interdisciplinary research and innovation are essential to optimize its adoption and impact.