Postharvest Physiology of Fruits and Vegetables Research Papers (original) (raw)

The New Zealand pipfruit industry takes around twenty years to develop a new apple variety up to full commercial production. The industry’s success is increasingly dependent on the introduction of new pipfruit products. How can the industry plan for effective research, science, and technology (RS&T) investments for supplying products into an international marketplace which is increasingly volatile?

- by
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- Horticulture, Agribusiness, Organic agriculture, Sustainable agriculture

The effect of ethrel in aqueous solution and ethylene released from ethrel was evaluated on fruit ripening of 'Kitchner', 'Dr Knight' and 'Abu-Samaka' mango. Ripening was enhanced in all treated fruits of the three cultivars at all concentrations used. The ripening rate progressively increased with increase in concentration. Ethylene released from ethrel was more effective in triggering fruit ripening than dipping fruits in aqueous solution of ethrel. Depending on concentration and cultivar, ripening was 1-3 d faster in fruits dipped in 500 and 1000 ppm ethrel and 1-5 d earlier in fruits treated with 250, 500 and 1000 ppm ethylene released from ethrel, compared with untreated fruits. The effect on fruit ripening was indicated by enhanced climacteric peak, increased skin colour, increased total soluble solids and decreased flesh firmness.

Tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L. ) is an important crop cultivated and consumed worldwide. It provides a wide variety of nutrients and many health-related benefits to the human body. Tomato production can improve the livelihoods of small-scale producers by creating jobs and serving as source of income for both rural and peri-urban dwellers. Despite all these benefits, many constraints make tomatoes production unprofitable in Africa. Post-harvest looses is one of such constraints. Post-harvest losses have been found to be either an on-farm or off-farm problem. On-farm losses are caused by improper harvesting stages, excessive field heat, improper harvesting containers, poor farm sanitation and improper packaging materials. Causes of off-farm losses includes lack of access roads, inappropriate transportation system, lack of processing factories and lack of reliable market information. Using low-cost intermediate technology intervention can help reduce some of these post-harvest losse...

- by Etornam Anku
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- Business, Postharvest Physiology of Fruits and Vegetables, Post Harvest, Losses

We investigated the effect of pre-storage exposure to shortwave ultraviolet (UV-C) light on the decay and quality of fresh strawberries. Fresh strawberries (cv. Kent, 25% to 50% red) were exposed to UV-C at doses of 0.25 and 1.0 kJ/m 2 and stored at 4 °C or 13 °C. UV treatment controlled the decay caused by Botrytis cinerea at both temperatures and extended the shelf-life of the fruits by 4 to 5 d. UV-treated fruits had a lower respiration rate, higher titratable acidity and anthocyanin content, and were firmer than the untreated fruits. The percentage of free sugars increased faster in UV-treated fruits at the beginning of the storage period. A lower electrical conductivity in fruits treated with 0.25 kJ/m 2 suggests a slower rate of senescence compared to the control. A higher electrical conductivity observed with 1.0 kJ/ m 2 suggests damage to the fruits. Overall, UV treatment at 0.25 kJ/m 2 appears to slow down the ripening and senes-cence of strawberry fruits stored at 4 °C.

Compositional changes of fruit pulp and peel during ripening of white-and pink-fleshed guava fruits were studied. The white and pink guava fruits exhibited a typical climacteric pattern of respiration. Fruit tissue firmness decreased progressively, in a similar manner, in both guava fruit types. Total soluble solids (TSS) and total sugars increased in pulp and peel of both guava types with decrease in flesh firmness. More increase in total sugars was observed after the climacteric peak of respiration. Reducing sugars and titratable acidity increased up to the full-ripe stage and then decreased. Ascorbic acid and phenolic compounds decreased continuously during ripening of the two types. The peel showed higher values of ascorbic acid, total protein and phenolic compounds than the plup. The white-fleshed guavas had higher levels of TSS, total sugars, reducing sugars. titratable acidity, phenolic compounds and ascorbic acid content then the pink-fleshed fruits.

Food wastage as a result of postharvest losses is responsible for about one-third of the entire annual harvest wasted world over. Postharvest losses occur due to the lack of processing and preservation technologies of the surplus harvest, as well as the unavailability of properly trained personnel. Therefore, in the bid to minimize food wastage from postharvest losses, some perishable tropical fruits were processed into fruit leathers. Fresh banana and pawpaw fruits were used to produce banana leather, pawpaw leather, and composite (banana & pawpaw) leather. The fresh fruits were washed, peeled, deseeded, sliced, mashed, and dried in an oven to produce flexible leather sheets of the fruits. The fresh fruit pulps and the fruit leathers were analysed for nutritional (proximate, vitamin and mineral) compositions and sensory qualities using standard methods. The results showed that significant differences (p<0.05) exist between the fresh fruits and fruit leathers. The moisture content of the fruit leathers ranged from 23.36% to 23.84%, protein contents ranged from 8.32% to 8.76%, while the carbohydrate contents ranged from 61.07% to 62.01%. The vitamin E in the fruit leathers increased significantly (30-34 µg/100 g) while vitamin B9 in the fruit leathers decreased significantly after drying, when compared with their corresponding fresh fruits. In addition, vitamin C decreased in the banana products (52.96 to 17.65 mg/100 g) and in the pawpaw products (123.56 to 52.96 mg/100 g) after processing, but magnesium, potassium, and calcium increased significantly in the fruit leathers. The general acceptability of the fruit leathers from the sensorial perspective showed that pawpaw leather was slightly liked (6.40) while banana leather (7.10) and composite leather (7.50) were liked moderately. Though the banana fruit leather and composite fruit leather were not significantly different, the sensory scores showed that the composite fruit leather was more preferred. This research has demonstrated that processing of fruits into fruit leathers will not only minimize postharvest losses but will also create a new variety of value-added products with higher nutritional value potential compared to its fresh fruits.

In developing countries, food losses occur mainly during the production, harvest, postharvest and processing phases. Because of the lack of awareness in the apple postharvest practices in Lebanon, this study was carried out to check the effect of good harvesting and handling practices, pre-storage sorting, and dipping in calcium and fungicide, on the percent losses of Golden Delicious apples during six months of cold storage. A highly significant reduction in the percent of total damages was observed during storage when good harvesting and handling practices and pre-storage sorting were applied. The magnitude of losses reduction depended on the type of damage registered and the practices performed. The presence of injuries was reduced by all types of good practices, applied alone or in combination. Where good harvesting and handling practices were performed, the incidence of bruising was reduced from 93.3% in the non-treated control to 37.7% and symptoms of rot were not detected. This study emphasized the importance of good harvest and postharvest practices in improving and maintaining the quality of Lebanese apples.

- by Paul Abi Tarabay
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- Agronomy, Sustainable agriculture, Lebanon, Food and Nutrition

In recent years the Australian stone-fruit industry has experienced low and at times negative growth in domestic and export sales due to variable fruit quality, oversupply and increased competition from global suppliers. The aim of this study was to identify Australian consumer preferences to the main interactions between sweetness, acidity and firmness for fresh stone-fruit. Two peach (Snow Fire and Summer Flame 29) and two nectarine (August Fire and Fire Sweet) cultivars (both representing low and high-acidity) were stored and ripened prior to hand sorting into two firmness categories (firm and soft). Separation of fruit into firmness categories was confirmed non-destructively with an acoustic firmness sensor (AWETA). Fruit were then sorted into two sweetness categories (high and low) using Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR). Melbourne consumers (n=150) recruited from a major shopping centre tasted fruit and their hedonic responses recorded. Consumers preferred high acid peaches and low acid nectarines. Fruit firmness was the main driver of consumer liking, with acceptance and purchase intent for soft fruit rating significantly higher than firm fruit, irrespective of acid content. Consumer scores for firm peaches were not significantly affected by acid content whereas firm nectarines with low acid achieved significantly higher scores than firm nectarines with high acid within the same sweetness band. Fruit from the sweeter category were preferred over fruit from the lower sweetness category and the effect of high sweetness was more evident in firmer peaches and soft nectarines. This study demonstrates a strong interaction between consumer preferences and fruit firmness. The preference for both sweet and soft fruit presents a major challenge to the industry.

The immense diversity in agro-climatic condition across the country enables India to produce large amount of vegetables with current production around 71 million MT, however, per capita availability is only about 180 gram as against recommended 300 gm per capita. This is due to huge losses of vegetables after harvest per year, nearly 40% fruits and vegetables are lost. Several factors are responsible for the damages & losses of the fresh produce. One of the major problems is lack of awareness and knowledge about how to handle fresh harvested vegetables. Proper postharvest handling can reduce losses of freshly vegetables and also maintained the product quality up to final consumption. Postharvest handling and losses of tomato, brinjal, okra, and leafy vegetables were evaluated from harvest to consumer market. This study was taken to identify postharvest operations followed and assessment of losses at various post-harvest handling stages; at farmers, APMC and retailers level. A standard questionnaire was prepared for collection of data and survey. At farmers level losses were observed in the range of 6-10, 2-6, 1-2, and 0.5 percent in tomato, brinjal, okra and leafy vegetables respectively. While 5-10, 5-8, 3-5 and 3.5 percent losses were observed at APMC level in leafy vegetables, tomato, brinjal and okra respectively. Whereas losses in the range of 9-16, 6-10, 2-4 and 2-3 percent were observed in leafy vegetables, tomato, okra and brinjal retailers' level. Maximum losses were observed in tomato followed by leafy vegetable, brinjal and okra. This paper describes the various postharvest handling of tomato, brinjal, okra and leafy vegetables at three different levels.

- by IJAAST Journal and +1
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- Agricultural Engineering, Agronomy, Organic agriculture, Biotechnology

This study assessed the effects of antioxidant edible coating on the walnut green husk extract (WGHE) in combination with ascorbic acid (AsA) and the effects were studied on the postharvest quality of fresh kernels (FKs). FKs were dipped in distilled water (Control), WGHE (0.15 and 0.3 g L −1), AsA 1 % and the combination of treatments. The samples were stored for 60 days at 4 ± 1 °C with 93 % relative humidity. The results showed that low temperature increased the levels of total phenols (TP), reduced the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzyme activities after 15 days of storage and preserved the antioxidant activity (AC) for up to 30 days of storage. Compared with uncoated kernels, all coated samples inhibited the increase in microbial growth, peroxide index (PI) and PPO activity. The values of TP, AC, color and sensory properties were also significantly preserved as a result of coating the FKs. In summary, all edible coatings may be used to extend the shelf life of the FKs in dry environment.

Cold storage is an integral component of postharvest management of many fruits, vegetables and processed products. Cold storage plays vital role in reducing postharvest losses of edible commodities by enhancing their storability and shelf-life. Timely storage of highly perishable and perishable commodities helps in their regular and continuous supply either for table or processing purposes. It is also highly beneficial in price stabilization, proper distribution and marketing of commodities. Realizing the significance of proper and timely storage, a strong growth is being predicted for cold storage industry in near future. Presently, there are 6,227 cold stores in India and they provide a storage capacity of up to 30.00 million tonnes. Broadly, horticulture/agricultural produce, processed food, animal husbandry produce and pharmaceutical items are being stored in cold stores. This article highlights present status of cold stores, availability, utilization and use pattern of storage space along with major limitations. Article also suggests some of the ways in making the cold stores more effective and diversified in their use.

- by Vijay Paul
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- Food Science, Nutrition, Energy, Food and Nutrition

Avoiding mechanical damage and controlling time-temperature relationships are key factors for satisfactorily handling and storing olives during the period from harvesting to milling. A ten-point list of handling and storage practices is proposed as well as a semi-log diagram for the choice of suitable time-temperature relationship. The criteria for optimizing the harvesting-milling link are discussed.

‘Pesca di Bivona’, ‘Murtiddara’, ‘Bianca’, ‘Agostina’ and ‘Settembrina’ are non-melting white fl esh peach landraces characterized
by a persistent aroma and excellent fl avour highly appreciated by Italian consumers. The aim of this work was to assess
the persistence of their quality and sensory profi les after storage at 0°C for 28 days, using destructive and non-destructive
analyses. The IAD index, measured either at harvest or at fruit removal from cold storage, was correlated to TSS, TA and fi rmness
of all the landraces. ‘Settembrina’ and ‘Agostina’ harvested at the commercial ripening time (50.5 ± 4.3 N) and stored
at 0°C during 4 weeks kept harvest quality in terms of sensorial attributes, fl esh fi rmness, chlorophyll content, TSS, TA and
reduced weight loss.

Field experiment was conducted during the wet season of 2014 at the research farm station of the Institute for Agricultural Research (I.A.R), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria to study the effect of soil and foliar applied NPK fertilizers to growth and yield of Celosia (Celosia argentea L.). The treatments consist of five soil applied NPK fertilizer rates (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha-1), and three foliar applied NPK fertilizer rates (1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 litres ha-1). Application of NPK fertilizer, significantly increased most of the growth, yield and yield components of Celosia as compared to the untreated control, and the highest obtained when 200 kg ha-1 of soil applied NPK fertilizer. Application of 2.5 litres ha-1 of foliar applied NPK fertilizer resulted in increased in plant height and number of branches, while application of 2.0 litres ha-1 of the same fertilizer resulted to increase other growth parameters. The results of the interaction between soil and foliar applied NPK fertilizers at 200 kg ha-1 and 2.0 litres ha-1 result in increased in most of the growth parameters. The interaction between soil and foliar applied NPK fertilizers on the yield at 150 kg ha-1 and 2.0 litres ha-1 on leaf yield resulted in the highest yield. Based on the result obtained in this study, farmers in the savanna can adopt the application of 200 kg ha-1 and 2.0 litres ha-1 gave the maximum fresh shoot yield.

- by Abdulazeez Shero and +2
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- Horticulture, Organic agriculture, Cultural Landscapes, Postharvest Physiology of Fruits and Vegetables

Food losses and waste are the result of inefficient functioning of food systems. "Post-harvest loss" in the PHL system refers to the quantitative and qualitative loss of food in various post-harvest operations. 'Loss of food' is also defined as food available for human consumption but not consumed. Limiting post-harvest losses (PHL) is a priority area of cooperation between FAO and global development banks.

- by Sugam Birthare
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- Food Science, Nutrition, Postharvest OF Fruit, Treatment

Öz Tüketici tercihlerindeki değişimler günümüz paketleme teknolojisine yenilikler katmıştır ve katmaya devam etmektedir. Özellikle aktif, zeki veya akıllı paketleme teknolojileri bu tüketici tercihlerine cevap verebilecek sistemler olarak tanınmaktadır. Aktif paketleme teknolojisi ürün kalitesinin korunması ve ürünün uzun süre muhafaza edilmesi amacıyla aktif maddelerin ürüne kaplama olarak, ambalaj kabına veya ürünün bulunduğu ortama ilave edilmesidir. Zeki paketleme teknolojisi ise paket durumunu kontrol ederek ilgili kişileri bilgilendirebilme özelliği olan bir sistemdir. Akıllı paketleme teknolojisi ise zeki paketlemenin daha ileri bir şekli olup paket, ürün veya ürünün bulunduğu ortamdaki diğer gazlar tarafından ortaya çıkarılan uyarılara cevap verilebilecek mekanizmaların bir bütünüdür. Uzun raf ömrü, gıda güvenliği gibi sebeplerden dolayı, taze bahçe ürünlerinde aktif, zeki veya akıllı paketleme sistemlerinin kullanımının yakın gelecekte artması beklenmektedir. Bu derleme taze bahçe ürünlerinde yenilikçi paketleme sistemlerini ve kullanımını değerlendirmek amacıyla hazırlanmıştır Anahtar Kelimeler: Akıllı paketleme, aktif paketleme, antimikrobiyal paketleme, biyosensör, CO 2 sensörü. Abstract Changes in customers' predilection has added and continues to add innovation to packaging technologies. Specifically, active, intelligent or smart packaging technologies are known as the systems which respond to this customers' predilection. Active packaging technology is an addition of supplements into a product as a coating material, packaging film or headspace itself with the aim of protecting the product quality and prolonging of its shelf life. As for the intelligent packaging technology is an advanced system which can monitor the package condition and inform relevant persons. The smart packaging technology, an advanced form of the intelligent packaging, is integrity of mechanisms which perform additional functions and responds to stimuli raised by other gases in the package, product or headspace itself. The use of active, intelligent or smart packing systems in fresh horticultural crops is expected be boost in the near future due to the increasing demand for safer fruits and vegetables with a better shelf life. This review has been prepared to evaluate the innovative packaging systems and their use in fresh horticultural crops.

Sapota is cultivated in many countries of tropical and subtropical climate. It is delicious, nutritive, and commercially grown mainly for fresh consumption. Postharvest life of sapota is very short due to its highly perishable nature and other many reasons such as quick ripening, faster senescence, rapid loss of moisture, microbial spoilage, and fruit sensitivity to cold storage. To maintain and/or increase the shelf life of sapota, proper postharvest management is required. Unfortunately, very little work has been done so far, with limited success, leaving scarce literature published on postharvest management technologies of sapota. Different pre and postharvest treatments to reduce metabolic activity and quality loss have been suggested. Moreover, proper storage temperature and packaging may be used to increase the shelf life of fruits. This review explores the postharvest technologies adopted to enhance the shelf life of sapota during storage and distribution channel.

Jam was standardised by incorporating tender coconut pulp at various levels with fruit pulp of pineapple, mango, grapes and papaya. On the basis of nutritional qualities, jam prepared with 25% TCP Tender coconut pulp and 75% pineapple pulp were found to be the best. Jam prepared with 25% TCP and 75% blended fruit pulp were organoleptically more acceptable. The highest gel strength was observed for jam prepared with 25% tender coconut pulp and 75 % blended fruit pulp. The maximum adhesiveness was in the jam prepared using 100% tender coconut pulp. Acidity, moisture, TSS and reducing sugar of the products slightly increased during storage. However, a decreasing trend was observed in the case of total sugar content during storage. The highest fat content was observed in jam prepared using 100% TCP. The mineral content gradually decreased with advancement of storage period.

The Doctrine of Signatures is an old tradition, or a part of many traditions, that plants (as well as animals and minerals and perhaps even phenomena) have clues or signatures in their shapes and forms and actions and things that tell what their purposes are. It is an ancient European philosophy that held that plants bearing parts that resembled human body parts, animals, or other objects, had useful relevancy to those parts, animals or objects. This makes all wonder if there were fruits and vegetables out there that are good for a certain part of human body and look like that body part as well. All will actually very surprised as to know this, Have you ever wondered to know that there are some foods that look like body parts. Here is the list of these foods that look like body parts they're good for and their benefits.

Abstract
Postharvest losses assessment of horticultural crops in south wollo, at two districts were investigated using data
from220 farmers and 80 traders. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and focus group discussion.
The results revealed that the performance of using irrigation water is very interesting (96.4% of respondents) but
there is shortage of irrigation water (21.8%). The problem of pest and disease is one of the major production-limiting factors as replied by most of respondents (44.8%) and the problem is severe during winter. The major
causes of postharvest losses as replied by the respondents are preharvest infection (46.4%) and others (25%)
replied both infection and injury. The general postharvest losses of commodities as replied by the producers is
estimated as <5% (50% of respondents) 5-10% (34.1% of respondents) and 10-20% (13.2% of respondents). The
losses of individual crops at different stages of handling (farmers level, transportation and storage) is
summarized as banana (1.5%,1.2% and 4.5%), orange (3.04%,1.2% and 3.6%), mango (1.6%,1% and 3.7%),
papaya (1.5%,1% and 3.3%), tomato (2.5%, 2.5% and 5.9%), onion (3.3%,1.1% and 3.7%), cabbage (4.3%, 2.8%
and 4.2%) and carrot (2.8%, 1.2% and 3.8%). Awareness creation about the amount of losses, criteria to be used
during selection and other postharvest principles and operations should be given due emphasis to minimize the
postharvest losses of perishable horticultural commodities.
Key words : Postharvest, horticulture , losses, value chain

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important crop cultivated and consumed worldwide. It provides a wide
variety of nutrients and many health-related benefits to the human body. Tomato production can improve the
livelihoods of small-scale producers by creating jobs and serving as source of income for both rural and periurban
dwellers. Despite all these benefits, many constraints make tomatoes production unprofitable in Africa.
Post-harvest looses is one of such constraints. Post-harvest losses have been found to be either an on-farm or offfarm
problem. On-farm losses are caused by improper harvesting stages, excessive field heat, improper
harvesting containers, poor farm sanitation and improper packaging materials. Causes of off-farm losses includes
lack of access roads, inappropriate transportation system, lack of processing factories and lack of reliable market
information. Using low-cost intermediate technology intervention can help reduce some of these post-harvest
losses making tomato production a more profitable venture in Africa.

- by Sachin Tyagi
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- Agronomy, Horticulture, Crop genetic diversity, Crop Physiology

Tomato production can serve as a source of income for most rural and periurban producers in most developing countries of the
world. However, postharvest losses make its production unprofitable in these parts of the world. Postharvest losses in tomatoes
can be as high as 42% globally. Postharvest losses in tomatoes can be either quantitative or qualitative. Even though emphasis in
crop research nowadays is increasing shifting from quantity to quality of produce, there is still little improvement in the quality of
commercially produced tomato varieties, hence resulting in high quality losses. Fromthe study it was discovered that the postharvest
quality status of tomatoes partly depended on some preharvest practices carried out during production. Some of these factors
are fertiliser application, pruning, maturity stage, cultivar selection, and irrigation. Using best postharvest handling practices or
factors such as temperature, relative humidity, gases in storage, postharvest calcium chloride application, and physical handling
procedures to maintain the quality after harvest was also critical. It was concluded by this study that understanding and managing
both preharvest and postharvest factors properly will reduce the postharvest quality losses in tomatoes.

The authors of this edition propose a novel and inspiring research approach to the subject of plants, which – being a form of life that is different, yet akin to us – is a constant source of nourishment and metaphors, decoration and obsessions. The articles included in this thematic block on plants enter into lively ongoing debates on genetics, feminism, ecology and plant ontology. They are excellent examples of the fact that in Polish philosophical and cultural reflection there was an understanding very early on of the challenges that posthumanism poses to our anthropocentric intellectual habits. Foreign readers will recognize in these Polish reflections a bold willingness to ask ethical and aesthetic questions of great relevance to the modern world that go far beyond the safe, though most likely imagined, limits of what it is to be human.

- by Andrzej Marzec
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- Critical Theory, Biochemistry, Botany, Landscape Ecology

Το θέμα της πτυχιακής μου εργασίας είναι η μεταβολή των φυσιολογικών χαρακτηριστικών του καρπού της τομάτας ( αναπνοή, αιθυλένιο, διαπνοή, χρώμα καρπού και συνεκτικότητα) κάτω από συνθήκες θερμοκρασίας, σταδίου ωριμότητας, αιθυλενίου,... more

Seed vigour is an important quality parameter of seeds quality and plays an important role in the production of agronomic and horticultural crops. In order to enable the farming community to get superior seeds their quality in terms of viability, germinability and vigour need to be evaluated to gain insight into the performance of a seed lot in the field or in storage. However, seed quality declined during field weathering, harvesting and/or storage and results in a serious economic loss. Through knowing the sources and mechanism of the loss, seed quality deterioration may be at least reduced or slowed down if not completely stopped. Besides the field management strategies, seed quality can also be improved through various seed priming techniques. Testing of seed vigor to predict the seed performance under a wide range of environment s is also an important issue. The present article describes about the various types of seed deterioration taking place and different priming techniques used to improve the vigor of normal as well as poor or deteriorated seeds. In addition, the present review also reports about the available vigor testing techniques. High physiological potential of seeds with rapid and uniform field emergence is a fundamental requisite for a good crop establishment, especially under adverse environmental conditions. Quality seed comprises those properties, which determine the potential for rapid uniform emergence and development of normal seedlings under a wide range of field conditions (ASPB, 2003). However, seed quality declines during field weathering, harvesting and/or storage (Farhadi et al., 2012) unless special precautions are taken and the annual losses due to seed deterioration can be as much as 25% of the harvested crop. As seed deterioration increases, seed performance is progressively decreased. It is one of the basic reasons for low productivity (Shelar et al., 2008). Indeed seed deterioration due to ageing is an inexorable phenomenon and the best that can be done is to lower its rate (Coolbear, 1995). It is a serious problem particularly in developing countries where seeds are stored in places usually without a proper control of air humidity, temperature and O 2 /CO 2 concentration. Further, measurement of physiological potential of seed in terms of germinability and seedling establishment is an important aspect in seed deterioration and invigoration studies. The objective of the present article is to synthesize and update the available information in this regard for further use of research and developmental studies.

With a growing global population, much of the current discourse on food security is
focussed on increasing and expanding agricultural production. The National Health and
Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Australian dietary guidelines recommend that adults
should be eating at least five kinds of vegetable and two kinds of fruit daily. The Dietary
Guidelines for Americans 2010 recommend you make one-half of your plate fruits and
vegetables. The Recommended dietary allowances (RDA) per capita per day for adult male
and females according to recommendation of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is
30g fruits per day. International scientists recommend considering dried fruits equivalent to
fresh fruits in dietary recommendations. Internationally recognized health researchers
presented their views at the recent 30th world nut & dried fruit congress, recommending that
food policy makers consider dried fruits equivalent to fresh fruits in dietary recommendations
around the world. They are naturally resistant to spoilage, easy to store and transport,
available year round, readily incorporated into other foods, and relatively low in cost, dried
fruits represent an important means to increase overall fruit consumption.
The continuing growth of population presents a major challenge to achieving food and
nutrition security. Solving the problem of food and nutritional security requires a range of
interconnected approaches, including crop improvements, adaptation of new technology, and
the bio-fortification of food staples and the cultivation of more number of edible species. The
concept of nutrition security, which refers in part to the “quality” component of food
88 DIMENSIONS OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE
production, consumption and physiological need, is a crucial consideration in efforts to
reduce malnutrition. Modern methods of transport and refrigeration make it possible to have
fresh fruit practically all year round. Proper nutrition promotes the optimal growth and
development of children. A poor diet can increase the risk for lung, oesophageal, stomach,
colorectal, and prostate cancers (Kushi, 2006). Attempts to increase global food security face
a number of complex and interlinking challenges. The need to provide food for increasing
population will require an intensification of farming at one end of the scale, but local issues
such as nutritional and dietary diversity and the loss of traditional diets, will increasingly
demand attention if any long-term form of food security is to be achieved. A diet rich in
vegetables and fruits can lower blood pressure, reduce risk of heart disease and stroke,
prevent some types of cancer, lower risk of eye and digestive problems, and have a positive
effect upon blood sugar which can help keep appetite in check.

Historical evolution of different drying methods for drying fruit and vegetables was evolved gradually with time. Nowadays,
every form of fruit and vegetables slices, chunks, paste, puree, solution can be dried using different available dryers. Recent research on drying methods focuses on the advancement in of energy consumption, product recovery and preservation of nutrients. Different combination dryers are also used as advancement for a particular dryer. Technological advancements in drying methods were triggered by the shortcomings of the existing one. This revolution clearly indicates that drying not only reduces moisture content to a safe storage level but also provides different edible forms

Το θέμα της πτυχιακής μου εργασίας είναι η μεταβολή των φυσιολογικών χαρακτηριστικών του καρπού της τομάτας(αναπνοή, αιθυλένιο, διαπνοή, χρωμα καρπού, συνεκτικότητα σάρκας) κάτω από συνθήκες θερμοκρασίας, υγρασίας, αιθυλενίου, σταδίου... more

ORANA A/S Guideline for Microbiological calculations in solid culture media. This document was published as an aid for knowledge seekers, students and interested parties in the industry. Therefore, please use it for study purposes only... more

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- by HortFlora Res. Spectrum and +1
- •
- Horticulture, Plant biotechnology, Vegetable Science, Floriculture

The HortFlora Research Spectrum (HRS), is an international-peer reviewed, open access journal that serves as a forum for the exchange and dissemination of R & D advances and innovations in all facets of Horticultural Science (Pomology, Olericulture, Floriculture, Post Harvest Technology, Plant Biotechnology, and Medicinal & Aromatic Plants etc.) and its allied branches on an international level.
HRS is officially published quarterly (March, June, September and December) every year, in English (print & online version), under the keen auspices of Biosciences & Agriculture Advancement Society (BAAS), Meerut (India).
Aims & Scope
The main objective of the journal ‘HortFlora Research Spectrum’ is to serve as a platform to promote, publish and disseminate the R & D innovations and advances in all aspects of Horticultural Sciences and allied branches of botanical sciences & technology, and to facilitate closer interaction among the academicians, researchers and entrepreneurs at global scale.
The journal HortFlora Research Spectrum (HRS), having International impact (ICV: 27.39; GIF: 0.364, IBI Factor: 2.8; NJIF: 2.14)), publishes high quality peer reviewed/refereed original research papers, review articles and research notes on all aspects of Horticultural plants’ research including agronomic management, plant nutrition, biotechnology, crop improvement, plant protection, plant physiology, cell & molecular biology, medicinal & aromatic plants, food & nutrition science, agroforestry, environmental science, plant medicinal properties, ethno-phytomedicine, technology dissemination etc.
Call for Papers:
We would like to invite to the researchers/subject experts to contribute original research/review paper for peer-review and the earliest possible publication in the HortFlora Research Spectrum. HRS publishes high-quality solicited and unsolicited articles, in English, in all areas of horticultural sciences. The Journal welcomes the submission of manuscripts that meet the general criteria of significance and scientific excellence. Manuscript/paper may be submitted online as MS word attachment to the editorial office via e-mail to: submit.hortflorajournal2013@gmail.com; hortfloraspectrum.india@gmail.com.
HRS is fully committed to provide Print/PDF files of articles published to corresponding author's e-mail/address as soon as they are published. Abstracts and full texts of all articles published in the journal are also available open access online at: www.hortflorajournal.com

- by Anilkumar Singh and +8
- •
- Forestry, Horticulture, Medicinal Plants, Vegetable Science

The HortFlora Research Spectrum (HRS), is an international-peer reviewed, open access journal that serves as a forum for the exchange and dissemination of R & D advances and innovations in all facets of Horticultural Science (Pomology, Olericulture, Floriculture, Post Harvest Technology, Plant Biotechnology, and Medicinal & Aromatic Plants etc.) and its allied branches on an international level.
HRS is officially published quarterly (March, June, September and December) every year, in English (print & online version), under the keen auspices of Biosciences & Agriculture Advancement Society (BAAS), Meerut (India).
Aims & Scope
The main objective of the journal ‘HortFlora Research Spectrum’ is to serve as a platform to promote, publish and disseminate the R & D innovations and advances in all aspects of Horticultural Sciences and allied branches of botanical sciences & technology, and to facilitate closer interaction among the academicians, researchers and entrepreneurs at global scale.
The journal HortFlora Research Spectrum (HRS), having International impact (ICV: 27.39; GIF: 0.471, IBI Factor: 2.8; NJIF: 2.14)), publishes high quality peer reviewed/refereed original research papers, review articles and research notes on all aspects of Horticultural plants’ research including agronomic management, plant nutrition, biotechnology, crop improvement, plant protection, plant physiology, cell & molecular biology, medicinal & aromatic plants, food & nutrition science, agroforestry, environmental science, plant medicinal properties, ethno-phytomedicine, technology dissemination etc.
Indexed/Abstracted in
• Index Copernicus International, Poland with ICV: 27.39 • Ministry of Science & Higher Education, Poland with 02 points • Global Impact Factor with GIF 0.471• Indian Science Abstracts • CAB Abstracts • CABI Full text • CAB direct • ICRISAT-infoSAT • Google Scholar• CiteFactor • InfoBase Index with IBI Factor: 2.8 •New Journal Impact Factor (NJIF): 2.14 • ResearchBib • AgBiotech Net • Horticultural Science Abstracts • Forestry & Agroforestry Abstracts• Agric. Engg. Abstracts • Crop Physiology Abstracts • PGRs Abstracts • ResearchGate.net • getCited.com • Reference Repository • OAJI.net • Journal Index.net• University of Washington Library • University of Ottawa Library • Swedish University of Agric. Sci. Library, Stockholm, Sweden; Univ. of Prince Edward, Island.
Call for Papers:
We would like to invite to the researchers/subject experts to contribute original research/review paper for peer-review and the earliest possible publication in the HortFlora Research Spectrum. HRS publishes high-quality solicited and unsolicited articles, in English, in all areas of horticultural sciences. The Journal welcomes the submission of manuscripts that meet the general criteria of significance and scientific excellence. Manuscript/paper may be submitted online as MS word attachment to the editorial office via e-mail to: submit.hortflorajournal2013@gmail.com; hortfloraspectrum.india@gmail.com.
HRS is fully committed to provide Print/PDF files of articles published to corresponding author's e-mail/address as soon as they are published. Abstracts and full texts of all articles published in the journal are also available open access online at: www.hortflorajournal.com

- by HortFlora Research Spectrum and +3
- •
- Horticulture, Plant biotechnology, Vegetable Science, Postharvest Horticulture

The HortFlora Research Spectrum (HRS) is an international-peer reviewed, open access journal that serves as a forum for the exchange and dissemination of R & D advances and innovations in all facets of Horticultural Sciences (Pomology, Olericulture, Floriculture, Post Harvest Technology, Plant Biotechnology, and Medicinal & Aromatic Plants etc.) and its allied branches on an international level. HRS is officially published quarterly (March, June, September and December) every year, in English (print & online version), under the keen auspices of Biosciences & Agriculture Advancement Society (BAAS), Meerut (India).
The journal HortFlora Research Spectrum (HRS) having International Impact (ICV: 27.39, GIF: 0.471; IBI Factor: 2.8; NJIF: 2.14; GSCIF: 0.364), publishes high quality peer reviewed/refereed original research papers, review articles and research notes on all aspects of Horticultural plants' research including agronomic management, plant nutrition, biotechnology, crop improvement, plant protection, plant physiology, cell & molecular biology, medicinal & aromatic plants, food & nutrition science, agroforestry, environmental science, plant medicinal properties, ethno-phytomedicine, technology dissemination etc.

- by Ali Uaf and +1
- •
- Postharvest Physiology of Fruits and Vegetables

'Carabao' mango was harvested green at different stages of maturity [100, 105, 110, 115, 120 and 125 d after flower induction (DAFI)] and subjected to nondestructive firmness test using a universal testing machine. A 7.9-mm diameter plunger with rounded tip (6.9-mm radius of curvature) was pressed onto whole fruit at 10 mm min-1 crosshead speed, to produce deformations of 0.8, 1.3, and 1.8 mm; additional fruits were tested until rupture for comparison. Total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA) and pH were measured at the green stage and at the table-ripe stage (TRS) after ripening at 25 °C. Sensory analysis was performed at TRS to determine the best harvest maturity. Results showed no significant differences in TSS, TA and pH between maturities at the green stage; hence, physico-chemical properties could not be used to test for maturity. Sensory analysis at TRS showed that fruit harvested at 115–120 DAFI gave the best eating quality in terms of aroma, sweetness, sourness, flavor and overall acceptability. Fruits harvested at 125 DAFI showed significantly lower sensory scores. Significant differences in rupture force (F R , kN) and fruit stiffness (B, kN mm-1 of deformation) were observed between maturities at the green stage; however, the nondestructive deformation test at 0.8 mm was more sensitive to fruit maturity. Fruits harvested at 115–120 DAFI had significantly lower values for B and load ratio at 0.8-mm to 0.5-mm deformation (F 0.8 /F 0.5) compared with earlier harvest dates. Analysis of the normal distribution curve of a prediction set of 40 mature (MAT) fruits showed that 80% of the samples had B ≤ 1.360 kN mm-1 and F 0.8 /F 0.5 ≤ 1.883. Based on the use of signal detection theory and these values as thresholds, 66.3% (by B) and 58.8% (by F 0.8 /F 0.5) of immature or overmature (I/O) fruit could be detected. Analysis of a separate validation set of fruit using the same threshold values gave respective detection rates of I/O fruit of 68.8% using B and 60.0% using F 0.8 /F 0.5 .

- by Mohammed Wasim Siddiqui
- •
- Physiology, Horticulture, Food Engineering, Packaging

Mulching is an important soil management practice of covering the soil surface around
the base of plants to make conditions more favorable for growing and to conserve the
available soil moisture. Mulch is a layer of material applied to the surface of an area of soil.
This is one of the important soil management practices adopted in certain countries. Crop
residues like straw, cotton stalks, leaves, saw dust, pine needles, coir dust arid other materials
like polythene films or certain special kinds of paper are spread in the tree basins and in inter
spaces between trees. It affects soil temperature (depending on color, soil-mulch contact, bed
orientation, time of year, light quality), reduces the weeds and keeps the fruit clean. Main
objective of mulching is to conserve soil moisture and to control the weed growth. The other
well known effects of mulching are regulation of soil temperature, improvement of soil
aeration, control of weed population, increase in organic matter content (organic mulch) and
also increase the activity of soil micro-organisms. The use of mulch material depends on its
availability and mostly economic in nature. The commonly used mulch materials in fruit
orchards are organic (fallen leaves, paddy straw, saw dust, hay etc.) and inorganic (plastic
mulch, rubber mulch and polygene etc.). Organic mulch materials also include pruned
materials in fruit orchards. Mulching facilitates for more retention of soil moisture and helps
in control of temperature fluctuations, improves physical, chemical and biological properties
of soil, as it adds nutrients to the soil and ultimately enhances the growth and yield of crops.

Carrots have been successfully produced and marketed in Georgia for the past five or six years. Both
fresh carrots for the retail market and processing carrots for baby food and other processed products have
been produced with significant yields of over 25,000 lb per acre. Success has varied due to a variety of
production and marketing problems. Information on planting dates, varieties, planting densities, row spacing,
and pest management have been needed to maximize production and reduce input cost.
One essential part of carrot production and marketing is the need to define the quality standards
necessary for consumer acceptance. Product physical defects can be readily measured, but the flavor and
sweetness characteristics must be defined and the parameters affecting these important factors understood.