Post-Harvest Physiology

Catalog description

The purpose of this course is to examine the changes occurring in harvested horticultural crops and understand the means of controlling these changes. This is accomplished through an understanding of the basic physiological, biochemical, and molecular processes associated with senescence, such as respiratory metabolism, chilling injury, and ethylene action. The processes associated with the deterioration of specific plants or plant parts are also discussed, for example the physiological changes associated with fruit ripening, flower senescence, leaf yellowing and abscission. This knowledge is then used to understand why various storage technologies are effective in prolonging the useful life of horticultural commodities.