87 research outputs found
Postharvest Disease Development
No full textPostharvest losses of fresh produce have always been an obstacle in agriculture. About one third of global fresh fruits and vegetables are lost because their quality has dropped below an acceptance limit. The postharvest quality and shelf life of fresh produce are also determined before harvest. However, postharvest quality is also affected by many practices during and after harvest such as temperature management, controlled and modified atmosphere, coatings, physical treatments, biocontrol, and more. This Special Issue on “Postharvest Disease Development: Pre and/or Postharvest Practices” gathers papers that deal with preharvest and postharvest factors that affect and maintain fresh produce quality after harvest
GRAS, plant- and animal-derived compounds as alternatives to conventional fungicides for the control of postharvest diseases of fresh horticultural produce
No full textPostharvest decay caused by fungal pathogens is one of the most important factors causing economic losses for the worldwide industry of fresh horticultural produce. Despite the positive results of the use of conventional chemical fungicides, alternatives for decay control are needed because of increasing important concerns related to their massive and continued use. Low-toxicity chemical alternatives evaluated for control of postharvest diseases of temperate, subtropical and tropical fruit, and fruit-like vegetables are reviewed in this chapter. These compounds should have suitable antifungal activity while showing known and very low toxicological effects on mammals and impact on the environment. In addition, they should be exempt from residue tolerances on agricultural commodities. Authorities confirm these characteristics by approving them as food additives or preservatives or as generally regarded as safe (GRAS) substances. Among those of synthetic origin, the most important are inorganic or organic salts, e.g. carbonates, sorbates, benzoates, paraben salts, etc., and composite edible coatings formulated with antifungal ingredients. Hydrocolloids (polysaccharides such as cellulose derivatives, alginates, pectins, or gums, and various plant proteins) and food-grade lipids are the main components of the matrix of composite coatings. Interesting antifungal ingredients include GRAS salts, essential oils, and antagonistic microorganisms. Low-toxicity chemicals of natural origin include plant extracts, including essential oils, antifungal peptides and small proteins, and coatings based on chitosan or plant gels like those from Aloe spp. Efficacy and overall performance, advantages, disadvantages, limitations, and potential combined use of these chemical alternatives in hurdle technologies for postharvest decay control are discussed
Effect of Postharvest Heat Treatment of Tomatoes on Fruit Ripening and Decay Caused by<i>Botrytis cinerea</i>
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Grafted vegetables – the influence of rootstock and scion on postharvest quality
No full textGrafting of vegetable seedlings is a unique horticultural technology, practised for more than 50 years, to overcome problems associated with intensive cultivation on limited arable land. Grafting vegetables can protect against soil-borne diseases and nematodes, against abiotic stresses such as high/low temperatures, salinity, drought or excessive soil-water content, and against elevated soil concentrations of heavy metals and organic pollutants. In addition, the grafted plant takes up water and nutrients from the soil more efficiently and retains its vitality for longer periods during the growing season. However, rootstock/scion combinations may affect and alter the final size, yield, and quality of fruits from grafted plants, both immediately postharvest and during prolonged storage. These alterations may be attributed in part to differing production environments and methods, the type of rootstock/scion combinations used, and harvest date. The aim of this paper is to review the most recent literature on the effects of grafting on postharvest quality of fruits/vegetables: tomato, watermelon, melon, eggplant, cucumber and pepper. The review will conclude by identifying several prospects for future research aimed at improving the quality of grafted fruit/vegetable products
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