Hort. 726                               POST-HARVEST PHYSIOLOGY                                    3(2‑1)

Specific Objectives:

To teach the students about physiology of horticultural produce to minimize post-harvest losses.

Theory:

Introduction, Factors affecting produce quality and shelf-life, Perishable and non-perishable commodities, Compositional changes, Physiological and biochemical processes in horticultural commodities under different types of storage in relations to maturation, ripening and senescence, Role of ethylene in ripening, Ethylene scrubbers, Role and regulation of environmental factors in storage, temperature, humidity, oxygen, carbon dioxide and ethylene, Physiological and pathological disorders in storage.

Practical:

Methods of assessing maturity indices of horticultural produce, Starch iodine test, Firmness, TSS, sugars  and ascorbic acid; Calculation of titratable acidity, Vase life of cut flowers; Identification of postharvest physiological disorders; Electrolyte Leakage; Packaging methods of different horticultural commodities, Other Relevant field and laboratory studies, Visit of grading and processing plant and cold stores.

Learning Outcomes:

Students must be able to apply their knowledge to maintain quality and extend storage life of horticultural produce.

Books Recommended:

·Bleasdale, J.K.A. 2014. Plant Physiology in Relation to Horticulture, 2nd Ed. Scientific publishers, Jodhpur, India.

·Kader, A.A. 2002. Postharvest Technology of Horticultural Crops. Oakland University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Publication.

·Kays, S.J. 1998. Postharvest Physiology of Perishable Plant Products. CBS Publishers & Distributors, New Delhi, India.

• Kumar, P.S. and M. Kanwat. 2009. Post-harvest Physiology and Quality Management of Fruits and Vegetables. Publisher: Agrotech Books, India.

·Mitra, S.K. 1997. Post-Harvest Physiology and Storage of Tropical and Sub-tropical Fruits. CAB International Publishing, Wallingford, U.K.

·Sadiq M., J. Ahmed, M.G. Lobo and F. Ozadali. 2012. Tropical and Subtropical Fruits: Postharvest Physiology, Processing and Packaging. Wiley-Balckwell Publisher.

• Shewfelt, R.L. and S.E. Prussia (Eds.). 1993. Postharvest Handling: A Systems Approach. Academic Press, California, USA.
• Wills, R.B.H., B. McGlasson and D. Graham, 1998. Post-Harvest: An Introduction to the Physiology and Handling of Fruits, Vegetables and Ornamentals. CABI.

Relevant Journals/Periodicals and Worldwide Webs.