Postharvest Performance Research Articles

Eggplant grafting on a cold-tolerant rootstock reduces fruit chilling susceptibility and improves antioxidant stability during storage.

Vegetable grafting has been increasingly evaluated to improve preharvest tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, very few studies have identified rootstock-scion combinations able to improve fruit shelf life and reduce the susceptibility to postharvest disorders. Herein, a purple eggplant scion (cv. Monarca) was grafted onto a cold-tolerant hybrid Solanum rootstock ('Java') and the changes in growth, quality, postharvest chilling tolerance, and antioxidant stability were evaluated. Eggplant grafting enhanced plant vigor and fruit growth rate, decreasing the time from set to harvest by 10-15%. Grafted eggplants had a thinner shape and lighter pulp color than the control. The rootstock-scion combination tested showed lower respiration (~60%), dry matter (~15-20%), and phenolic compounds contents (~15-20%) than eggplants from non-grafted plants. Grafting markedly improved fruit performance during postharvest storage. Remarkably, grafted eggplants showed much higher tolerance to chilling injury than the control did, evidenced by a reduction of surface scalds along with decreased softening and pulp browning. The trend in antioxidants found at harvest time was reversed after cold storage due to enhanced stability (20% and 100% for pulp and peel respectively) in fruit from grafted plants. Purple eggplant (cv. Monarca) grafting onto 'Java' hybrid rootstock modulated fruit growth, quality at harvest, and increased fruit chilling injury tolerance during storage. Grafting may be a bona fide strategy to induce phenotypic traits able to improve vegetable postharvest performance. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Comparison of Ethylene Sensitivity of Three Tomato Cultivars From Different Tomato Types and Effects of Ethylene on Postharvest Performance

The aim of study was to investigate ethylene sensitivity of different types of tomatoes and the effects of ethylene on their postharvest performance. For that purpose, beefsteak, heirloom and cluster types of tomato fruit were harvested at the breaker maturity stage and divided into two groups one of which was treated with 150 μL L−1 ethylene and the other was untreated for comparison. Ethylene treated and untreated fruit were stored at 12 °C and 90+5% relative humidity for 35 days and subsamples removed every 7 days for postharvest quality analysis. After each removal time, fruit were kept at 20 °C for 3 days in order to determine shelf life performance. Ethylene treatment lead to increase respiration rate, ethylene production, weight loss but decreased fruit firmness in all tested tomato cultivars. Minimum ethylene production and respiration rate occurred in untreated beefsteak tomatoes. At the end of cold storage and shelf life period, the highest L* values and fruit firmness were recorded for control beefsteak tomatoes. The conclusion drawn from this experiment was that the cluster type of tomatoes was more sensitive, while beefsteak type of tomatoes was found to be less sensitive to ethylene treatment as they had the highest and lowest amount of ethylene productions respectively. Untreated beefsteak tomatoes exhibited maximal postharvest quality compared to other treatments after 35 days cold storage and shelf life.

Effect of Harvesting Stages and Calcium Chloride Application on Postharvest Quality of Tomato Fruits

Tomatoes are a good source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and enzymes, which are beneficial to human health. They are one of the most commercially high-value vegetable crops that experience a huge postharvest loss after harvest. The present experiment is conducted to investigate the effect of different maturity stages (mature green, breaker, and half-ripe stage), pre- and post-harvest treatment with different concentrations (0.0%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0%, w/v) of calcium chloride (CaCl2) on the postharvest performance, antioxidant and enzymatic activity of lowland tomato fruits, stored at ambient temperature (28 ± 2 °C and 75 ± 5% RH). Tomato fruit of mature green stage treated with 2% CaCl2 significantly (p = 0.05) declined the ethylene production (15.53%), weight loss (16.43%), and delayed color development by slowly synthesizes the lycopene content as well as extended the shelf life. The maximum amount of total phenolic content (TPC) was demonstrated at the highest level of CaCl2 (2%) after 20 days of storage life at ambient conditions. The concentration of CaCl2 influenced the activity of different plant defense enzymes, and the higher doses of CaCl2 (2%) accelerated the activity of peroxidase (POD) (13%), polyphenol oxidase (POP) (7.3%), and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) (8.5%) relative to that of the control samples. Therefore, the tomato producers and traders could extend the storage duration of tomato fruits by harvesting at the mature green stage and applying 2% CaCl2 in both pre-and postharvest at ambient storage conditions.

Effect of Elevated Temperature on Tomato Post-Harvest Properties.

The fleshy fruit of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a commodity used worldwide as a fresh or processed product. Like many crops, tomato plants and harvested fruits are susceptible to the onset of climate change. Temperature plays a key role in tomato fruit production and ripening, including softening, development of fruit colour, flavour and aroma. The combination of climate change and the drive to reduce carbon emission and energy consumption is likely to affect tomato post-harvest storage conditions. In this study, we investigated the effect of an elevated storage temperature on tomato shelf life and fungal susceptibility. A collection of 41 genotypes with low and high field performance at elevated temperature, including different growth, fruit and market types, was used to assess post-harvest performances. A temperature increase from 18–20 °C to 26 °C reduced average shelf life of fruit by 4 days ± 1 day and increased fungal susceptibility by 11% ± 5% across all genotypes. We identified tomato varieties that exhibit both favourable post-harvest fruit quality and high field performance at elevated temperature. This work contributes to efforts to enhance crop resilience by selecting for thermotolerance combined with traits suitable to maintain and improve fruit quality, shelf life and pathogen susceptibility under changing climate conditions.

Fresh grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) leaves: Postharvest biology and handling recommendations

Developing grapevine leaves are harvested for the preparation of stuffed dolmas. Fresh leaves are preferred, but since they are perishable and can be harvested at ideal maturity for only a limited period, most leaves for dolmas are currently preserved. This research on fresh grapevine leaves (var. Thompson Seedless) was conducted over three seasons, and focused on their postharvest performance in relation to leaf maturity, respiration rates, storage temperature, water loss and packaging, and decay control. Appropriate leaf maturity for dolmas are leaves that are bright green and not yet fully expanded. The 4 leaf maturity stages that can be harvested commercially for dolmas are clearly delineated by differences in color, and corresponding color values and pigment concentrations. Sugar, acid, and phenolic concentrations and % dry weight vary little among the 4 maturity stages studied. Respiration rates of grapevine leaves (mature for dolmas) are moderate, about 350 µmol CO2 kg−1h − 1 at 5 °C. Grapevine leaves can be stored for 4–8 weeks at 0 °C. A storage period of 1 month can be expected if they are stored in the range of 0–5 °C. Grapevine leaves can be stored below 0 °C but freezing injury occurs near -2.5 °C. Water loss at 8–10% is needed to reduce marketable quality (loss of gloss, leaf curling, browning). Botrytis decay is the major limitation to storage life and decay incidence varied from harvest to harvest. Decay is partially retarded by high CO2 atmospheres (10–15% v/v), but is more effectively controlled by hot water dips of 47.5 °C to 52 °C (15 to 9 min). Grapevine leaves harvested for dolmas do not show yellowing during aging or senescence when held below 10 °C.

Xylem, phloem and transpiration flows in developing strawberries

The fruit of many species suffer a loss of xylem functionality during development. This reduces Ca import, so lowers fruit Ca concentration and impairs postharvest performance. Even though not a true fruit, this pattern may also apply to strawberry. Our aim was to measure xylem and phloem inflows to a developing strawberry and transpiration outflows. To do this, we used linear variable displacement transducers mounted on still-attached fruit and potometers on detached fruit. In attached fruit, the stalk inflows were partitioned into xylem and phloem components by killing the phloem with steam.Fruit mass increased sigmoidally till the fully-mature. The balance between xylem, phloem and transpiration flows followed a characteristic pattern of change during development. Early on, xylem inflow was 70–80% of total water inflow, towards maturity this decreased to ~36%. In contrast, phloem inflow increased from 20 to 30% of total early on, rising to ~64% at maturity.Aqueous acid fuchsin was used as a marker of xylem sap flow. When fed through the cut surface of the stalk of a detached fruit, staining of the fruit vascular system was uniform in young fruit, but progressively less uniform as the fruit developed. By full maturity no dye penetrated beyond the base of the fruit.Potometric flow rates into the fruit increased from 8 to 27 days after full bloom, then decreased until maturity. The inflow rate of a fruit held at ~0% RH always exceeded that in one held at ~100% RH. Removing the calyx decreased the inflow rate. The calyx accounted for ~50% of total fruit transpiration (i.e. of fruit + calyx).As indexed both by dye penetration and by xylem flow measurements, xylem functionality decreased during fruit development.

6-Benzylamino purine outperforms Kinetin and Thidiazuron in ameliorating flower longevity in Calendula officinalis L. by orchestrating physiological and biochemical responses

Abstract In view of extending the relatively brief postharvest life of flowers by a range of technologies, the present study elucidates the implication of 6-benzylamino purine (BAP), kinetin (KN) and thidiazuron (TDZ) on postharvest performance and flower longevity of isolated flowers of Calendula officinalis. BAP and KN belong to adenine group cytokinins while as TDZ is a diphenyl urea compound having cytokinin like activity. The harvested flowers were supplemented with BAP, KN and TDZ at various concentrations viz., 25, 50, 75 and 100 µM at one day before anthesis (cup shaped) stage. The control was designated by a distinct set of flowers held in distilled water (DW). Our findings revealed substantial enhancement in flower longevity by application of various growth regulators as compared to the control. Vase solutions containing BAP and KN at 50 µM and TDZ at 75 µM (individually) were most effective in improving the longevity of cut Calendula flowers. Improvement in flower longevity was primarily associated with high membrane stability index (MSI), upregulated activities of various antioxidant enzymes viz., catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), besides an attenuated lipoxygenase (LOX) activity in the petals. As compared to control, the treated flowers exhibited higher values of soluble proteins, total phenols and total sugars, besides lower α-amino acid content in the petal tissues. However, BAP outplayed TDZ and KN in improving the flower longevity of Calendula officinalis by maintaining higher physiological and biochemical stability in petals.

Are Peach Cultivars Used in Conventional Long Food Supply Chains Suitable for the High-Quality Short Markets?

Peaches are climacteric and highly perishable fruits, with a short shelf life, and are prone to rapid deterioration after harvest. In this study, the chemical proprieties, aroma profile and a sensory evaluation were conducted to: (1) characterize and compare fruits of 13 different peach and nectarine cultivars, harvested at physiological maturation; and (2) assess the suitability of these cultivars, that are successfully used in long food supply chains (LFSCs), for their use in short food supply chains (SFSCs). Through statistical analysis clear differences were found among the studied cultivars, and in particular between cultivars suited to SFSCs compared to those suited for LFSCs. Results indicate that, despite all cultivars being planted in the same orchards and with the same pre-harvest management and practices, their post-harvest performances were mainly influenced by the cultivar genetic makeup. Therefore, cultivars conventionally used in SFSCs, such as “Guglielmina” and “Regina di Londa”, had the best aroma, sweetness and juiciness compared to LSCPs ones. In contrast, the LSCPs varieties showed interesting values for firmness and crunchiness.

1-Methylcyclopropene Improves Postharvest Performances and Sensorial Attributes of Annurca-Type Apples Exposed to the Traditional Reddening in Open-Field Melaio

The Annurca type is an historical Italian apple fruit probably native to the Campania region. These fruits are harvested before a full maturity stage and go through an open-field reddening process. Products based on 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) are widely used in postharvest to improve apple quality and avoid disorders in controlled atmosphere. In this work, we tested the impact of 1-MCP in the traditional reddening system of Annurca type by analyzing three postharvest strategies, namely, fruits exposed for ten days to the traditional reddening and then cold-stored (RDG treatment); fruits treated in postharvest with 1-MCP and then cold-stored (MCP treatment); fruits treated in postharvest with 1-MCP, exposed for ten days to the open-field reddening and then cold-stored (MCP + RDG treatment). Using a full factorial design, we measured main physical and compositional traits and described the properties of the products by consumer testing at two storage times. The MCP + RDG treatment provided the most valuable results, by positively affecting fruit flesh firmness and several sensorial attributes (e.g., hardness, crunchiness, juiciness, sweetness), including a reduction of the mealiness. At the end of the cold-storage, MCP + RDG apples scored a higher consumer’s overall liking. The work demonstrated that the 1-MCP technology can be integrated into a traditional open-field postharvest process to improve fruit quality and, potentially, to extend the shelf life of Annurca apples.

Regulated Salinity Eustress in a Floating Hydroponic Module of Sequentially Harvested Lettuce Modulates Phytochemical Constitution, Plant Resilience, and Post-Harvest Nutraceutical Quality

A mild salinity stress (eustress) may modulate the induction of the plant defense system in horticultural crops and the synthesis of phytochemical components able to enhance plant resilience, post-harvest performance, and the nutraceutical quality of produce. However, the choice of the correct eustress type and dose to induce the synthesis of these protective phytochemicals is pivotal to avoid potential interference with plant growth and productivity. In order to study how green and red lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) plants equilibrate the nutritional and nutraceutical components of quality with yield components, we applied iso-osmotic concentrations of three different salts (20 mM NaCl, 20 mM KCl, and 13.3 mM CaCl2, with a final total ionic concentration of 40 mM) in combination with two successive harvests in a floating raft system. The biometric parameters, mineral composition, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity of both cultivars were analyzed. The green cultivar had a superior response concerning biometric traits and productivity compared to the red one during the first cut but lower phytochemical content (e.g., ascorbic acid). The effect of cut order, independently of cultivar and salinity treatments, demonstrated that at the first harvest plants could redirect metabolism by increasing the lipophilic antioxidant content (LAA) at the expense of plant yield, therefore increasing plant resilience and post-harvest nutraceutical quality; whereas, at the second harvest, plants reverted principally to tissue expansion. The treatments with iso-osmotic salt concentrations did not affect K and Mg ion contents but further increased LAA and resulted only in a moderate decrease of fresh yield. The lettuce nitrate content was reduced during the second cut only when lettuce plants were treated with NaCl and especially CaCl2.

Plant-Based Biostimulant as Sustainable Alternative to Synthetic Growth Regulators in Two Sweet Cherry Cultivars

Sweet cherry is a high value crop and the economic success of its cultivation depends not only on yield but also on fruit visual and nutritional quality attributes that influence consumer acceptability, as well as on fruit post-harvest performance and resistance to cracking. During the last few decades, cherry growers have tried to achieve these goals through exogenous applications of synthetic plant hormones and/or nutrients, but there is growing concern about the sustainability of the extensive use of these compounds in agriculture. For this reason, there is increasing interest in the possible adoption of different classes of biostimulants as sustainable alternatives to plant growth regulators. This research aimed to study the impact of foliar application of a novel tropical-plant extract, performed between full bloom and fruit set, on the yield and fruit quality of two important commercial sweet cherry cultivars, Kordia and Regina. The experimental design included a commercial control involving the application of a cytokinin promoter. In both cultivars, the tropical-plant extract induced significant increases in fruit yield. In addition, in the cultivar Kordia, the tropical-plant extract enhanced fruit calcium concentration, soluble solids content, flesh firmness, and skin color by 26.2%, 11.8%, 6.7%, and 12.0% (of fruits with mahogany skin color), respectively. Our results suggest that the tropical-plant extract tested as a biostimulant may be a sustainable and effective alternative to the exogenous application of synthetic hormones for sweet cherry cultivation.

Nitric oxide effectively curtails neck bending and mitigates senescence in isolated flowers of Calendula officinalis L.

In recent years, there has been a considerable and renewed upsurge in research to ascertain the physiological and biochemical role of Nitric oxide (NO) in plants. The present investigation is focused to study the role of NO on neck bending associated withsenescenceand postharvest performance in isolated flowers of Calendula officinalis. The flower buds harvested at one day before anthesis stage were supplied with sodium nitroprusside (SNP) as a source of NO at different concentrations viz., 50, 100, 150 and 200µM. A distinct set of flowers held in distilled water designated the control. The investigation revealed that SNP delayed the senescence in flowers of C. officinalis significantly manifested by prolonged longevity. The maximum longevity of 12days was recorded in flowers supplemented with 100µM SNP. The flowers held in distilled water (control) displayed early senescence symptoms and lasted for 6days only. Our research suggested that improved flower longevity bySNP was commensurate with delayed neck bending, inhibition of bacterial growth in the vase, increased solution uptake,high membrane stability, besides an up-regulated activities of antioxidant enzymes in the tissue samples. In addition, the treated flowers exhibited increased content of sugar fractions, total phenols and soluble proteins in the petal tissues compared to control. Further, 100µM SNP was observed asmost effective treatment and increased the longevity of flowers by 6days. The concentration above 150µM provoked early senescence compared to control, whereas concentration lower than 100µM was less efficacious in improvingthe postharvest life and longevity ofcutCalendulaflowers.

Influence of edible coatings and storage duration on post-harvest performance of plum

Influence of edible coatings and storage duration on post-harvest performance of plum

Effects of developmental stages on postharvest performance of White Crane Orchid (Calanthe triplicata) inflorescences

White crane orchid (Calanthe triplicata) is one of the native orchids in Taiwan. It features pure white flowers, a unique flowering pattern, an elegant inflorescence, and it is of high ornamental value. In order to evaluate the feasibility of white crane orchid for cut flower production, we characterized the growing and blooming of the white crane orchid inflorescence during its vase life in deionized water. Up to 30 florets on each rachis bloomed from the bottom to the top on the raceme of the white crane orchid. The floret at the lowest position began to wilt after more than 20 florets bloomed. The early senescence symptoms of a floret were the yellowing labellum and blackening anther cap. To investigate the flower longevity and the overall ornamental value of inflorescences, they were harvested when bearing 0, 11, and 20 opened florets. The inflorescences in the three developmental stages had a vase life of 22 days, 9 days and 6 days, respectively, in deionized water at 25 °C. Although they have the longest vase life, inflorescences that were harvested in the budding period (0 opened florets) had a relatively low ornamental value; conversely, the ornamental value of the inflorescences harvested in the blooming period (20 opened florets) was the highest, followed by that at the stage with 11 florets. The application of ethylene action inhibitors, such as 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) or silver thiosulfate (STS), to the inflorescences harvested in the blooming period (20 opened florets) has extended their vase life from 6 days to 8 days and to 10 days, respectively.

High Light Intensity Applied Shortly Before Harvest Improves Lettuce Nutritional Quality and Extends the Shelf Life.

The effect of light intensity applied shortly before harvest on the nutritional quality, postharvest performance, and shelf life of loose-leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Expertise RZ Salanova®) was investigated. Lettuce was grown either in a greenhouse with supplemental high-pressure sodium light (Experiment 1, EXP 1) or in a climate room under white LED light (Experiment 2, EXP 2). In both experiments full grown plants were transferred to a climate room for the End of Production (EoP) light treatments during the last week of cultivation. During EoP lighting plants were exposed to different intensities (0, 110, and 270 μmol m–2 s–1 in EXP 1; 50, 210, and 470 μmol m–2 s–1 in EXP 2) from white-red LEDs for 6 (EXP 2) or 7 days (EXP 1). Mature leaves were then harvested and stored in darkness at 10°C to study the postharvest performance. Changes in dry matter content, total ascorbic acid, and carbohydrates (including glucose, fructose sucrose, and starch) levels were determined during EoP lighting and during the subsequent shelf life as indicators of lettuce nutritional quality. Quality aspects (appearance, texture, and odor) were accessed during the shelf life as indicators of postharvest performance. In both experiments, high light intensities applied in EoP lighting increased dry matter percentage and contents of ascorbic acid (AsA) and carbohydrates at harvest and these increased levels were maintained during the shelf life. Increased light intensity in EoP treatment also extended the shelf life. The levels of AsA and carbohydrates at harvest correlated positively with the subsequent shelf life, indicating that the prolonged shelf life relies on the improved energy and antioxidant status of the crop at harvest.

Involvement of Ethylene in Physiological Processes Determining the Vase Life of Various Hybrids of Mokara Orchid Cut Flowers

There is limited information about the postharvest performance and physiology of Mokara orchid cut flowers, which are a special group of artificially created trigenetic hybrids of Vanda × Arachnis × Ascocentrum. Therefore, we first characterized the patterns of various physiological parameters during vase life of five Mokara hybrids, which differ in their longevity. Then, we examined the effects of ethephon and ethylene inhibitors on these physiological parameters, and on parameters of the ethylene biosynthesis pathway, during vase life of two selected Mokara hybrids, “Moo-deang” and “Dao-lai”, which showed significant differences in their vase life duration and senescence symptoms. The results demonstrate that the differences in vase life longevity among the five Mokara hybrids are due to differences in their ethylene production rates, which regulate flower development processes expressed in bud opening and floret senescence. The results clearly show that ethylene is involved in the regulation of the Mokara flower senescence, and pretreatment with ethylene inhibitors significantly improved their vase life longevity. Thus, ethylene seems to be the main factor that determines the longevity differences of the Mokara hybrids, rather than their water relations parameters. This study can serve as a research tool for developing effective postharvest treatments for Mokara hybrids.

The influence of harvest maturity on postharvest performance of new blush pear cultivars from Australia

The influence of harvest maturity on postharvest performance of new blush pear cultivars from Australia

Production factors affect post-harvest performance of tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) — a review

Production factors affect post-harvest performance of tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) — a review

Sustainability comparisons in the triple bottom line for Chinese fisheries

This paper uses Fishery Performance Indicators (FPIs) to compare nine Chinese fisheries in terms of their triple bottom line (ecological, economic, and community sustainability) with the top 10% performing fisheries within the global FPIs database. The results show the largest differences between the Chinese fisheries and top-performing fisheries globally are in ecological sustainability followed by harvest sector performance and economic performance. The gaps in community sustainability and post-harvest performance are smaller. The paper also compares the nine different Chinese fisheries with each other to assess their relative performance. Zhejiang province shows signs of better fishery management with its stronger enforcement and stricter measures to tackle illegal fishing and as a result, scores higher in ecological and some economic and social dimensions.

Modulatory Effects of Interspecific and Gourd Rootstocks on Crop Performance, Physicochemical Quality, Bioactive Components and Postharvest Performance of Diploid and Triploid Watermelon Scions

Vegetable grafting has become entrenched as a sustainable tool for addressing biotic and abiotic stresses of vegetable crops, including watermelon. The concerted action of scion–rootstock genotypes in shaping crop performance, fruit quality and postharvest behavior of watermelon is critical. In this respect, scions of different ploidy grafted on interspecific and gourd rootstocks were assessed. Yield traits were strongly influenced by rootstock, as opposed to fruit morphometric characteristics. Interspecific rootstock supported stable yield across seasons with a 20.5% increase over gourd, and induced thicker rind and higher pulp firmness by 30.1% over gourd, which constitute advantageous traits for shelf-life. Interspecific rootstock also increased lycopene content, which was further influenced by scion genotype irrespective of ploidy. Triploid cultivars attained higher firmness but lower sugars than diploid, which renders the former particularly prone to loss of sensory quality during postharvest depletion of sugars. Although total and reducing sugars decreased during storage, sucrose increased, which in conjunction with the postharvest accumulation of lycopene sheds new light on the postharvest physiology of watermelon. The marginal rootstock effect on sugars renders interspecific rootstock superior to gourd on account of higher yield, firmness and lycopene content. The present work constitutes a contribution toward understanding rootstock–scion relations and how they mediate crop performance, fruit quality and postharvest behavior of watermelon.