Fruits and vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet. However, one third of fruit and vegetables are lost after harvest every year. Most losses are caused by pathogen (mostly fungi) infections, which lead to postharvest decay. In addition, some postharvest fungal pathogens can produce toxic secondary metabolites (i.e. mycotoxins) during their infecting periods. Mycotoxin contamination may cause serious food safety issues. At present, the use of synthetic fungicides is still the main means to control postharvest diseases. However, the development of resistance in fungal pathogens to fungicides and the growing public concern over the health and environmental risks associated with high levels of pesticides in fruits and vegetables have urged researchers to develop alternative methods of disease control. A deeper understanding of the infecting mechanisms of postharvest pathogens will provide great insight into developing new controlling strategies.

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

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.

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

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.

POSTHARVEST PATHOGENS AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT Postharvest diseases caused by microbial pathogens account for millions of dollars in losses of both durable and perishable produce products every year. Moreover, with consumers increasingly demanding minimally processed vegetables and fruits--which can be invaded by human pathogens--there is an imperative need for suitable protective measures to provide pathogen-free commodities that are free from, or contain only acceptable levels of, chemical residues. Providing details of both conventional and modern molecular techniques applicable for the detection, identification, and differentiation of field and storage microbial pathogens, Postharvest Pathogens and Disease Management: * Discusses diseases of both durables and perishables during transit and storage * Provides a basic understanding of the effects of handling and storage practices as well as field conditions and product susceptibility on the development of postharvest diseases * Reveals, as a cautionary note, the potential hazards of mycotoxins with carcinogenic properties that can contaminate fruits and vegetables * Contains detailed information derived from elucidative evidence and disease data in order to explain the infection process and subsequent stages of disease development * Helps readers to avoid conditions that favor disease incidence and spread * Includes real life examples of disease management strategies to help readers develop effective disease management systems suitable for different ecosystems * Emphasizes the importance of integrating several different effective methods in tandem, including the development of cultivars with resistance to postharvest diseases; the selection of suitable analytical methods; and the effective use of biocontrol agents and chemicals * Presents protocols for numerous techniques and basic methods, making the book a distinctive and highly useful teaching and research tool Postharvest Pathogens and Disease Management offers readers insight into the principles and methods of avoiding and managing postharvest diseases of fruit and vegetable products in an efficient, economical, and environmentally feasible manner, allowing producers to sell safer, higher-quality produce to the public and prevent the losses associated with postharvest disease.

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