ABSTRACT
The fruit and vegetable industry has experienced an era of dynamic innovation in mechanical harvesting, postharvest handling, consumer packaging, and bulk transportation. For some commodities for which a critical postharvest fungicide has been lost, immediate changes in present management systems may be necessary to minimize disease damage. For many postharvest diseases, the control program must begin in the field. Inoculum levels that exist after harvest are largely dependent on management practices before harvest. Postharvest strategies used in the control of fruit and vegetable diseases can be separated into two broad categories: those of a physical nature and those that are biological. Ionizing irradiation has shown promise in preserving foods. Resistance in fruits and vegetables to diseases may be enhanced by the postharvest application of nutrients or chemicals generally recognized as being safe. Throughout the postharvest period, basic practices such as low-temperature control, sanitation, and careful handling to minimize injury will continue to be important aspects of disease management.
