Authors: Joas, Jacques; Léchaudel, Mathieu

Source: Stewart Postharvest Review, Volume 4, Number 2, April 2008 , pp. 1-14(14)

Publisher: Stewart Postharvest Solutions

Abstract:

Purpose of review: This review emphasises the importance and the necessity of the relationship between pre-and postharvest conditions in order to effectively further the implementation of quality-friendly approaches (nutritional, sensory, health-related) of horticultural crops.

Findings: The influence of pedoclimatic conditions, crop management and harvest stage on the variability of fruit and vegetable composition is demonstrated on a regular basis. At the same time, the ability to control plant metabolism using new processes or by combining several techniques makes it possible to increase their storage potential. Improved knowledge of the mechanisms involved allows us to improve prediction models of quality determined in the field and expected changes in batches of stored products.

Limitations: The diversity of growing conditions and the lack of knowledge about optimal harvest stages, in addition to extreme conditions of metabolic regulation, can increase the variability of product responses. In the end, consumers may find themselves faced with a product of low nutritional and sensory value, exactly the opposite of what was originally intended.

Directions for future research: An approach within a framework of "total quality management" or "comprehensive integrated production" is essential to have an objective vision of the quality offered to the consumer and to have actual proposals for the implementation of postharvest crop management sequences capable of ensuring this quality. This relationship will make it possible to identify all of the variability parameters and to develop models that include pre- and postharvest conditions. Although this "comprehensive integrated production" approach is preferable in general, it is absolutely necessary for tropical crops for two reasons: (1) tropical crops are more easily subjected to variations than crops in temperate zones, and (2) local production conditions must take the legislation of importing countries and the requirements of distributors into account when developing exports, both for tropical or out-of-season crops.

Keywords: COMPREHENSIVE INTEGRATED PRODUCTION; STORAGE; NUTRITIONAL VALUE; EXPORT; MARKETPLACE

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2212/spr.2008.2.7

Publication date: 2008-04-01

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