Considerable economic losses to harvested fruits are caused by postharvest fungal decay during transportation and storage, which can be significantly controlled by synthetic fungicides. However, considering public concern over pesticide residues in food and the environment, there is a need for safer alternatives for the control of postharvest decay to substitute synthetic fungicides. As the sec...

The modular design of plants enables individual plant organs to manifest autonomous functions and continue aspects of metabolism, such as respiration, even after separation from the parent plant. Therefore, we hypothesized that harvested vegetables and fruits may retain capacity to perceive and respond to external stimuli. For example, the fitness advantage of plant circadian clock function is ...

Pitaya is one of the most important commercial cactus fruit. Pitaya fruits are easy to get injury during postharvest handling and storage. Pre-harvest and postharvest calcium treatments have been used to maintain flesh firmness and extend shelf life of many fruits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of calcium treatments on maintaining pitaya fruit quality during cold storage. Pi...

Phytosanitation regulations in several international markets require postharvest treatments to control codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), in various commodities. Thermal treatments are gaining acceptance to replace chemical fumigation. Determining the most thermal-tolerant life stage is essential in the development of effective postharvest insect control protocols ba...

The main postharvest disorder of cut gerbera flowers is the stem bending and break. The cause of stem bending is not completely clear. Although the genetic background seems to play the major role, some plant hormones such as ethylene and cytokinins may enhance or reduce the incidence of stem break during postharvest life. The choice of withstand genotypes seems to be a good strategy. In fact, s...

Sweet pomegranates (Punica granatum L. cv Mollar de Elche) were cold-stored for 90 days. Curing at 33°C and 95% RH for 3 days before continuous storage at 2 or 5°C and 95% RH was tested for reducing chilling injuries. Alternatively, cycles of intermittent warming (IW) of 1 day at 20°C every 6 days at 2 or 5°C were tested. Control fruits were conventionally stored at 2 or 5°C and 95% RH, and a s...

For three Asiatic hybrid lily cultivars (‘Bright Beauty’, ‘Fashion’, ‘Orlito’) the potential postharvest performance of floral buds in terms of growth, anthesis and longevity was studied in relation to tepal carbohydrate status. To determine the importance of carbohydrate redistribution within lily inflorescences, the postharvest performance of several attached and detached buds was compared at...