ABSTRACT
Preharvest factors, particularly cultural practices, are considered the gateway for postharvest quality and storage disease management. The quality of horticultural products at harvest has a major effect on its postharvest life. The quality compromised, due to inefficient preharvest practices and presence of disease inoculum during fruit growing period at field, is difficult to maintain at desired level after harvest. Irrigation, rootstock, training, pruning, fertilizer application and other cultural practices such as plant protection affect the nutrient and water supply to the plant, which can affect the hidden (acidity, total soluble solid (TSS), vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates) and visual (shape, size, colour, flavour, glossiness) quality attributes of fruits. The exposure of fruits to fungi, bacteria and viruses during their growing period determines the extent of incidence and severity of postharvest diseases at handling and storage. Among the three basic strategies of disease management (latent infection elimination, prevention of infection on surface and within-host tissues), preharvest practices are the most important one for effective control of postharvest diseases.
