Technology to Enhance Post Harvest Shelf Life of Horticultural Crops

Abstract

Postharvest physiology is the scientific study of the physiology of living plant tissues after they have denied further nutrition by picking. It has direct applications to postharvest handling in establishing the storage and transport conditions for prolong shelf life. The postharvest handling practices are gaining importance towards delaying fruit and vegetables ripening and prolonged storage period by preventing fruit tissue respiration. This insight allowed scientists to bring to bear their knowledge of the fundamental principles and mechanisms of respiration and ripening which leading to post-harvest storage techniques such as cold storage, gaseous storage, waxy skin coatings and treatment with ethylene. This article brings knowledge about the technologies to enhance the life and quality of horticulture produce.