Prepared by: Hamid Salari INFLUENCE OF PREHARVEST FACTORS ON POSTHARVEST LIFE OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Prepared by: Hamid Salari
Water supply (Irrigation) Bad effect may be caused by: Too much rain or irrigation: brittle and easily damage leafy vegetables Lack of rain or irrigation: low juice content and thick skin in citrus fruits Dry condition followed by rain or irrigation: cracks
Soil fertility (Fertilization) Some of the effects are: Lack of nitrogen: yellow-red discoloration of Lack of potassium: abnormal ripening Calcium: blossom end rot, bitter pit Boron: cracking
Crop load size total soluble solid contents (TSS)
Fruit canopy position Large difference in TSS and acidity size
Leaf removal colour Girdling size TSS and acidity
Crop rotation reducing decay control of soilborne diseases Weed control alternate hosts for crop disease and pests compete with crops for nutrient and soil moisture.
Crop hygiene-decaying dead wood: source of disease
Agricultural chemicals These are of two types: Pesticides and herbicides Growth-regulating Temperature High sugar Poor colour
Rootstock Size Colour Taste
Length of the day Citrus and mango produced in full sun had a thinner skin, low average weight, lower juice content and lower acidity. Besides, citrus grown in shade are less susceptible to chilling injury in further storage.