ISHS Acta Horticulturae 710: International Symposium on Greenhouses, Environmental Controls and In-house Mechanization for Crop Production in the Tropics and Sub-Tropics
POSTHARVEST CHALLENGES FOR CROPS GROWN UNDER PROTECTED CULTIVATION |
| Author: | E.W. Hewett |
| Keywords: | quality, preharvest factors, nutrition, water relations, harvest maturity, ethylene, 1-MCP, supply chain management, supermarkets |
| Abstract:
Horticultural crops grown under protected cultivation are generally destined for specific markets ‘off season’, at a time when the same crops grown in open fields are not available. Alternatively use of protective cover allows crops to be grown in zones where climatic conditions would not normally allow production in the open. A diverse range of horticultural crops are grown under glass or plastic covers, with the main ones being tomatoes, capsicums, cucumbers, beans, several types of gourds, strawberries, lettuce, many types of flowers, and occasionally fruit trees, such as citrus in Cheju, South Korea. In general the physiology of all these crops is the same as that of similar crops grown outdoors in that final quality is influenced by preharvest conditions, quality deterioration begins at harvest and is markedly influenced by postharvest temperature, relative humidity, ethylene and atmosphere. However, because they are grown in a sheltered environment and not exposed to variable wind, rain and often temperature conditions, produce is often more susceptible to physical damage than those grown in the open. Some recent postharvest developments that relate to product quality will be discussed including the potential of 1-methylcyclopropene (MCP; SmartFresh™), an inhibitor of ethylene action, dynamic controlled atmosphere (CA) storage, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) to maintain postharvest texture, flavour and eating quality. At this time of globalisation and increasing dominance of international supermarket chains, much attention is being given to improving supply chain efficiency producer to consumer with resultant enhancement of customer satisfaction and profitability for those in the chain. Consumers are concerned increasingly about freshness, safety and nutritional attributes of the fruits and vegetables they purchase, as well as the environmental and social implications of production, packaging and distribution systems involved in foods they eat. Thus availability, quality and food safety issues are international drivers of supermarket purchasing patterns. A consequence of this international movement is a tightening of regulations involving the export and import of perishable horticultural foods creating a range of stringent hurdles that need to be cleared and guaranteed before fresh fruits and vegetables from supplying countries are accepted in markets of major importing countries. | |
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