A Review of the Nature and Causes of Post-harvest Deterioration in Fruits and Vegetables, with Especial Reference to those in International Trade

  • Anna L. Snowdon
Chapter

Abstract

Harvested fruits and vegetables are subject to a wide range of diseases (incited by infectious micro-organisms) and disorders (induced by disruption of normal physiological processes). Consideration is given to the biology and control of the major post-harvest diseases and disorders affecting pome, stone, berry and soft fruits; tropical and subtropical fruits; cucurbits and solanaceous fruits; legumes; flower, stem and leaf vegetables; bulbs; temperate roots and tubers; tropical roots and tubers. Contributory factors, which together influence the nature and extent of deterioration, include choice of cultivar; weather during the growing season; crop husbandry; harvesting and handling techniques; post-harvest treatments; pre-cooling and packaging. The storage environment is crucial and, if produce is exported, important factors include design and function of ship, container or truck; pattern of stowage; carriage instructions and policy; and transit time. In a 15- year study it was found that in 39% of cargoes deterioration resulted from adverse pre-shipment factor(s) only, in 42% from adverse shipboard factor(s) only, and in 19% from both pre-shipment and shipboard factors. Analysis of causes can help to reduce future losses.

Keywords

Botrytis Cinerea Chilling Injury Postharvest Loss Postharvest Physiology Glomerella Cingulata 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Elsevier Science Publishers Ltd 1988

Authors and Affiliations

  • Anna L. Snowdon
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of Applied BiologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK

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