Abstract

Focusing on the great variety of research being done in the field of postharvest pathology, this volume presents a collection of topics concerning the diseases of harvested fruits and vegetables.

Each chapter represents a separate unit which taken together create a better understanding of the whole subject. Topics include the causal agents of postharvest diseases of fruits and vegetables, their sources and their ways of penetration into the host; factors that may accelerate the development of the pathogen in the host - and those that suppress them; a list of the main pathogens of fruits and vegetables, their hosts and the diseases elicited by them; and a detailed description of the major diseases of selected groups of fruits and solanaceous vegetable fruits. Attack mechanisms of pathogens and defense mechanisms of the host are examined as are treatments aimed at suppressing postharvest diseases. The search for natural and safe chemical compounds and the variety of alternative physical and biological methods for use in postharvest disease control are emphasized.

Teachers and students who focus on postharvest pathology, scientists in research institutes, companies dealing with fruit and vegetable preservation technologies and for all those striving to improve the quality of harvested fruits and vegetables will find this book of great interest.
(A.A. Kader, Department of Pomology, UC Davis, USA)
Dr. Barkai-Golan effectively used her expertise and experience as a researcher and professor of postharvest pathology in writing a very informative reference book that will be very useful to teachers, students, researchers, extension workers, and others who are interested in reducing postharvest losses of produce. With more than 1000 cited references, this book presents a thorough review of the relevant literature on postharvest pathology of fruits and vegetables.
Perishables Handling Quarterly No. 107