MINOR CROPS - MAJOR PROBLEMS AND HOW THEY INFORM POSTHARVEST UNDERSTANDING

Abstract

Much of our current knowledge on fundamental postharvest responses of fruit and vegetables has come from model crops such as tomato, and from major temperate crops such as apple and stonefruit. However, subtropical and tropical fruit crops are a large component of global fruit consumption, are economically and nutritionally important in many developing countries, and have some of the most intractable postharvest problems. We can learn much from studying the postharvest physiology and biochemistry of such crops. Recent work on loquat, mangosteen, and Chinese bayberry fruit highlights novel and fundamental issues concerning fruit ripening, low temperature responses and traits such as colour and texture.