Abstract: Biological and physical practices in marketing vegetables and fruits have benefited from research with horticultural crops on the preparation, packaging, distribution and storage of fresh produce. Study of post-harvest physiology and control of crop diseases has resulted in increased production of fresh vegetables, including potatoes and melons. Marketing of commercial crop includes harvesting, sorting, grading, packaging, transport,storage and protection of the vegetabes during wholesale-retail distribution. Suitable environments for thevegetables at each phase of marketing are described to provide information for workers in the vegetable industry.

The second edition of this very well-received book, which in itsfirst edition was entitled Postharvest Technology of Fruits andVegetables, has been welcomed by the community of postharvestphysiologists and technologists who found the first edition of suchgreat use. The book covers, in comprehensive detail, postharvestphysiology as it applies to postharvest quality, technologyrelating to maturity determination, harvesting, packaging,postharvest treatments, controlled atmosphere storage, ripening andtransportation on a very wide international range of fruits andvegetables. The new edition of this definitive work, which contains manyfull colour photographs, provides key practical andcommercially-oriented information of great use in helping to ensurethat fruit and vegetables reach the retailer in optimum condition,with the minimum of loss and spoilage. Fruits and vegetables, 2nd edition is essential readingforfruit and vegetable technologists, food scientists and foodtechnologists, agricultural scientists, commercial growers,shippers and warehousing operatives and personnel within packagingcompanies. Researchers and upper level students in food science,food technology, plant and agricultural sciences will find a greatdeal of use within this landmark book. All libraries in researchestablishments and universities where these subjects are studiedand taught should have copies readily available for users. A. K. Thompson was formerly Professor and head of PostharvestTechnology, Silsoe College, UK.

Consideration of the interactions between decisions made at one point in the supply chain and its effects on the subsequent stages is the core concept of a systems approach. Postharvest Handling is unique in its application of this systems approach to the handling of fruits and vegetables, exploring multiple aspects of this important process through chapters written by experts from a variety of backgrounds.Newly updated and revised, this second edition includes coverage of the logistics of fresh produce from multiple perspectives, postharvest handing under varying weather conditions, quality control, changes in consumer eating habits and other factors key to successful postharvest handling.The ideal book for understanding the economic as well as physical impacts of postharvest handling decisions.Key Features:*Features contributions from leading experts providing a variety of perspectives*Updated with 12 new chapters*Focuses on application-based information for practical implementation*System approach is unique in the handling of fruits and vegetables

The transportation and storage of fresh fruit and vegetables is an international operation for which the available technology must be used to ensure that produce reaches the consumer in the best possible condition. The use of controlled atmospheric conditions, as a way of reducing the use of chemical preservatives and pesticides, has great potential for the reduction of postharvest losses and the maintenance of nutritive value and organoleptic characteristics. The proper application of controlled atmosphere storage is likely to have as great an impact as the introduction of refrigeration technology a century earlier, yet its potential is only just becoming appreciated, despite its use for apples for many years. In this book, the author reviews and condenses the large amount of research on controlled atmosphere storage, going back more than 80 years, in order to provide the most comprehensive reference source on this topic. It traces the history of the technique and the range of conditions currently in use for different fruit and vegetables, and their effect on flavor, quality and physiology. The influence of pests and diseases, environmental factors such as mixtures of gases, and packaging are then described and the recommended controlled atmosphere conditions for a wide range of crops is provided. This book is essential reading for horticultural researchers and food industry staff concerned with transportation, storage and quality. In addition, it is a valuable reference source for students of horticulture, agriculture, engineering, food science and technology, and food marketing, as well as regulatory bodies and consumer groups.

This book contains 12 chapters focusing on the basic tenets of postharvest technology of fruits and vegetables and how this influences their postharvest behaviour. Key information about their composition, biochemistry, respiration and physiology are presented. The importance of the management of temperature and humidity for maintaining fresh quality is discussed. The susceptibility of fresh produce to various pathogenic diseases and physiological disorders and their identification and control by environmentally friendly methods are pointed out and technologies that are adjuncts to temperature management, i.e. atmosphere control, controlled ripening, packaging and transport, are highlighted. The principles underlying the food safety based quality assurance systems that also meet environmental requirements are outlined. The influence of consumers on the marketing and storage of fruit and vegetables are also examined.