Post harvest Management of Horticultural Crops (2+1)

Post harvest treatments

Basic conditions for postharvest treatments are

• Only fresh produce can be preserved
• Produce should be free from defects
A basic principle in shelf life enhancement process is to control or minimize the respiration rate and spoilage.

Following are post-harvest treatments in handling and storage of horticultural commodities

1. Pre-cooling (Low temperature)
2. Cleaning, washing and trimming
3. Sorting, grading and sizing
4. High temperature – Curing / Drying / Hot water treatments / Vapour heat treatment /Degreening
5. Chemical treatment - Disinfestations/ Sprout suppressants/Mineral application/ethylene inhibitors(1-MCP)
6. Fruit coating (waxing)
7. Astringency removal
8. Irradiation
9. Regulation of ripening -Control/ethylene scavenging/ Degreening
10. Pulsing and tinting
11. Minimal/ Light processing
12. Cold storage
13. Packing