PostHarvest Factors affecting Postharvest Quality

Preharvest factors affecting postharvest quality

Preharvest factors affecting postharvest quality1. Cultivar and rootstock genotypes2. Mineral nutrition3. Irrigation4. Canopy manipulation5. Crop rotations

Cultivar and rootstock genotypes Affects taste, yield, nutrient composition

and postharvest life Antioxidant activity (Potato) Ascorbic acid (Peppers) ᵝ-carotene (Sweet potato)

Mineral nutrition

Nitrogen• Higher N level stimulate vegetative growth

causing shading and ultimately death of lower fruity wood

• Delays fruit maturity in stone fruit• Poor red colour• Inhibits ground colour change (green to

yellow in peach)• Fruit disorders (

Calcium

Deficiency of calcium leads to physiological disorders• Bitter pit in apple• Corkspot in pear• Blackheart in celery• Blossom end rot in tomato• Cavity spot in carrot• Tipburn of lettuce

Irrigation

Amount of water Time of water application

• Under water stress • lower fruit size and higher soluble solid contents• Deep suture and double-fruit formation

Canopy manipulation

Crop load Fruit canopy position Leaf removal Girdling

Crop Rotation Reduce decay inoculum in a production

field• Soilborne fungi • Bacteria • Nematodes