Optimal distribution of fresh horticultural products entails prolonging their freshness and nutritional quality as long as possible after harvest. A major limitation to their marketing is decay after harvest, which is caused primarily by fungal pathogens. Postharvest Pathology of Fresh Horticultural Produce provides a comprehensive resource of information about the biology and control of postharvest diseases of many fresh horticultural products, citing sources from appropriate literature of any age, rather than only the most recent. The etiology and symptoms of postharvest diseases and the biology of postharvest pathogens are reviewed by leading experts, who are familiar with many of world's most popular fresh fruits and vegetables and the diseases that affect them. Key aspects related to infection and epidemiology, methods to minimize postharvest decay losses, including use of conventional fungicides and alternative management strategies, harvest and handling practices, and other aspects are described for the most significant temperate, subtropical, and tropical fruits as well as fruit-like vegetables and leafy vegetables. Features: Provides comprehensive academic and practical reviews of postharvest diseases of fresh fruits and vegetables Discusses the economic importance, etiology, and epidemiology of the most significant postharvest diseases Includes quality color plates that allow the practical identification of disease symptoms Explains practical postharvest disease management actions, including the use of conventional fungicides and alternatives to their use The authors summarize a massive quantity of published information, and often apply their own considerable practical experience to identify and interpret the most significant information. This book is a valuable and comprehensive resource for industry professionals, academics, educators, students, consultants, pest control advisors, regulatory personnel, and others interested in this subject.

The ultimate goal of crop production is to provide quality produce to consumers at reasonable rates. Most fresh produce is highly perishable, and postharvest losses are significant under the present methods of management in many countries. However, significant achievements have been made during the last few years to curtail postharvest losses in fr

Optimal distribution of fresh horticultural products entails prolonging their freshness and nutritional quality as long as possible after harvest. A major limitation to their marketing is decay after harvest, which is caused primarily by fungal pathogens. Postharvest Pathology of Fresh Horticultural Produce provides a comprehensive resource of information about the biology and control of postharvest diseases of many fresh horticultural products, citing sources from appropriate literature of any age, rather than only the most recent. The etiology and symptoms of postharvest diseases and the biology of postharvest pathogens are reviewed by leading experts, who are familiar with many of world’s most popular fresh fruits and vegetables and the diseases that affect them. Key aspects related to infection and epidemiology, methods to minimize postharvest decay losses, including use of conventional fungicides and alternative management strategies, harvest and handling practices, and other aspects are described for the most significant temperate, subtropical, and tropical fruits as well as fruit-like vegetables and leafy vegetables. Features: Provides comprehensive academic and practical reviews of postharvest diseases of fresh fruits and vegetables Discusses the economic importance, etiology, and epidemiology of the most significant postharvest diseases Includes quality color plates that allow the practical identification of disease symptoms Explains practical postharvest disease management actions, including the use of conventional fungicides and alternatives to their use The authors summarize a massive quantity of published information, and often apply their own considerable practical experience to identify and interpret the most significant information. This book is a valuable and comprehensive resource for industry professionals, academics, educators, students, consultants, pest control advisors, regulatory personnel, and others interested in this subject.

As a collection of papers that includes material presented at the 2008 International Congress for Plant Pathology, this text features research right at the leading edge of the field. The latest findings are particularly crucial in their implications for fruit production; an important market sector where in some areas up to 50 per cent of the crop can be lost after harvest. While post-harvest fruit treatments with fungicides are the most effective means to reduce decay, rising concerns about toxicity have led to the development of alternative approaches to disease control, including biological methods, the subject of three chapters of this book. With several new techniques requiring modification of current post-harvest practices, it is more important than ever to stay abreast of the latest information. Other chapters deal with the mechanisms of host fruit and vegetable resistance, fungal pathogenicity factors and their relationship with the host response, and a number of subjects related to disease assessments before harvest as well as their relationship to the postharvest treatment of fruits and vegetables. The book also includes several useful case studies of crops such as kiwifruit and peaches, where different approaches at the pre- and post-harvest levels are combined to good effect. With food production issues gaining an ever higher profile internationally, this text makes an important contribution to the debate.

Written by a diverse group of research professionals, Postharvest Decay: Control Strategies is aimed at a wide audience, including researchers involved in the study of postharvest handling of agricultural commodities, and undergraduate and graduate students researching postharvest topics. Growers, managers, and operators working at packinghouses and storage, retail, and wholesale facilities can also benefit from this book. The information in this book covers a wide range of topics related to selected fungi, such as taxonomy, infection processes, economic importance, causes of infection, the influence of pre-harvest agronomic practices and the environment, the effect of handling operations, and the strategic controls for each host-pathogen, including traditional and non-traditional alternatives. - Includes eleven postharvest fungi causing serious rots in numerous fruits and vegetables - Offers selected microorganisms including pathogens of commercially important tropical, subtropical and temperate crops worldwide, such as tomatoes, pears, apples, peaches, citrus, banana, papaya, and mango, among others - Presents content developed by recognized and experienced high-level scientists, working in the postharvest pathology area worldwide - Provides basic information about each fungus, pre- and postharvest factors that contribute to infection and control measurements, including the use of chemicals and non-traditional methods

A comprehensive introduction to the physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology of produce growth, paired with cutting-edge technological advances in produce preservation Revised and updated, the second edition of Postharvest Biology and Nanotechnology explores the most recent developments in postharvest biology and nanotechnology. Since the publication of the first edition, there has been an increased understanding of the developmental physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology during early growth, maturation, ripening, and postharvest conditions. The contributors—noted experts in the field—review the improved technologies that maintain the shelf life and quality of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. This second edition contains new strategies that can be implemented to remedy food security issues, including but not limited to phospholipase D inhibition technology and ethylene inhibition via 1-MCP technology. The text offers an introduction to technologies used in production practices and distribution of produce around the world, as well as the process of sencescence on a molecular and biochemical level. The book also explores the postharvest value chain for various produce, quality evaluation techniques, and the most current nanotechnology applications. This important resource: • Expands on the first edition to explore in-depth postharvest biology with emphasis on developments in nanotechnology • Contains contributions from leaders in the field • Includes the most recent advances in postharvest biology and technology, including but not limited to phospholipase D and 1-MCP technology • Puts the focus on basic science as well as technology and practical applications • Applies a physiology, biochemistry, and biotechnology approach to the subject Written for crop science researchers and professionals, horticultural researchers, agricultural engineers, food scientists working with fruits and vegetables, Postharvest Biology and Nanotechnology, Second Edition provides a comprehensive introduction to this subject, with a grounding in the basic science with the technology and practical applications.

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

Postharvest Ripening Physiology of Crops is a comprehensive interdisciplinary reference source for the various aspects of fruit ripening and postharvest behavior. It focuses on the postharvest physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology of ripening and provides an overview of fruits and vegetables, including chapters on the postharvest quality

Postharvest Physiology and Biochemistry of Fruits and Vegetables presents an updated, interrelated and sequenced view of the contribution of fruits and vegetables on human health, their aspects of plant metabolism, physical and chemical/compositional changes during the entire fruit development lifecycle, the physiological disorders and biochemical effects of modified/controlled atmospheres, and the biotechnology of horticultural crops. The book is written specifically for those interested in preharvest and postharvest crop science and the impact of physiological and biochemical changes on their roles as functional foods. - Deals with the developmental aspects of the lifecycle in whole fruits - Describes issues, such as the morphology and anatomy of fruits, beginning with the structural organization of the whole plant and explaining the fruit structure and its botanical classification - Addresses biotechnological concepts that control firmness, quality and the nutritional value of fruits

Focusing exclusively on postharvest vegetable studies, this book covers advances in biochemistry, plant physiology, and molecular physiology to maximize vegetable quality. The book reviews the principles of harvest and storage; factors affecting postharvest physiology, calcium nutrition and irrigation control; product quality changes during handling and storage; technologies to improve quality; spoilage factors and biocontrol methods; and storage characteristics of produce by category. It covers changes in sensory quality such as color, texture, and flavor after harvest and how biotechnology is being used to improve postharvest quality.