Search Results (124)

The Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f. industry suffers significant losses due to fungal diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of sodium benzoate (SB) and potassium sorbate (PS) on the incidence of fungal decay and fruit quality when used as preharvest treatments on Fino lemon trees over two consecutive seasons (2021–2023). Lower concentrations of SB and PS (0.1% and 0.5%) applied in one or two treatments successfully controlled fungal decay. On average, SB achieved a greater reduction in decay, ranging from 45% to 60%, compared to PS’s reduction of 25% to 50%. This approach minimised the negative impact on lemon fruit quality, in contrast to the highest doses (more than 1%) and the greatest number of applications (more than three times), which increased lemon susceptibility to decay. Furthermore, lemons treated with 0.5% SB twice enhanced antioxidant systems, showing a 35% increase in total phenolic content in the flavedo at harvest compared to the control. Consequently, the application of 0.5% SB twice at preharvest emerges as a promising and potential alternative to conventional fungicides for effective fungal decay control and maintenance of acceptable lemon quality traits during cold storage. Full article

Berries—including strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, cranberries, and several less commonly cultivated berry species—are highly valued for their sensory quality and rich content of bioactive compounds, yet they are among the most perishable horticultural products. Their soft texture, high respiration rate, and susceptibility to fungal pathogens lead to rapid postharvest deterioration and significant economic losses. This review synthesizes advances in berry postharvest management reported between 2010 and 2025. Conventional strategies such as rapid precooling, cold-chain optimization, controlled and modified atmospheres, and edible coatings are discussed alongside emerging non-thermal technologies, including UV-C light, ozone, cold plasma, ultrasound, biocontrol agents, and intelligent packaging systems. Particular emphasis is placed on the instability of anthocyanins and other phenolic compounds, microbial spoilage dynamics, and the influence of cultivar genetics and preharvest factors on postharvest performance. The review also highlights opportunities for circular-economy applications, as berry pomace, seeds, and skins represent valuable sources of polyphenols, dietary fiber, and seed oils for use in food, nutraceutical, cosmetic, and bio-based packaging sectors. Looking ahead, future research should prioritize integrated, multi-hurdle, low-residue postharvest strategies, the scale-up of non-thermal technologies, and data-driven cold-chain management. Overall, coordinated physiological, technological, and sustainability-oriented approaches are essential to maintain berry quality, reduce postharvest losses, and strengthen the resilience of berry value chains. Full article

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is an important crop globally, being a starchy, energy-dense food source rich in several micronutrients and bioactive compounds. Achieving food security for everyone is highly challenging in the context of growing populations and climate change. As a highly adaptable crop, potatoes can significantly contribute to food security for vulnerable populations and have outstanding commercial relevance. Specific pre- and post-harvest parameters influence potato quality. It is vital to understand how these factors interact to shape potato quality, minimizing post-harvest losses, ensuring consumer safety, and enhancing marketability. This review highlights how pre-harvest (cultivation approaches, agronomic conditions, biotic and abiotic stresses) and post-harvest factors impact tuber’s microbial stability, physiological behaviour, nutritional, functional attributes and frying quality. Quality parameters, such as moisture content, dry matter, starch, sugar, protein, antioxidants, and color, are typically measured using both traditional and modern assessment methods. However, advanced non-destructive techniques, such as imaging and spectroscopy, enable rapid, high-throughput quality inspection from the field to storage. This review integrates recent advancements and specific findings to identify factors that contribute to substantial quality degradation or enhancement, as well as current challenges. It also examines how pre- and post-harvest factors collectively impact potato quality. It proposes future directions for quality maintenance and enhancement across the field and storage, highlighting research gaps in the pre- and post-harvest linkage. Full article

This review integrates current knowledge on how greenhouse conditions regulate the nutritional quality and shelf life of tomato, cucumber, and sweet pepper. Preharvest environmental factors jointly shape fruit composition, firmness, and storage performance through their control of photosynthesis, assimilate partitioning, and structural stability. Across all variables, light intensity and fruit temperature emerge as the dominant determinants of overall quality and shelf life potential. Relative air humidity (RH), irrigation regime, and nutrient balance primarily affect firmness, water loss, and physiological disorders, while CO₂ enrichment, shading, and mineral or biostimulant inputs exert secondary yet consistent effects. Comparative evaluation shows that tomato is most sensitive to temperature and RH, cucumber to water status and epidermal stress, and sweet pepper to radiation for color and antioxidant development. These distinctions confirm that no single climatic optimization can be universally applied, and management must therefore target species-specific physiological constraints to sustain both nutritional excellence and storage performance. Major knowledge gaps remain, particularly regarding the combined effects of interacting environmental drivers and the integration of physiological responses with postharvest behavior. Future research should adopt multifactorial designs and predictive modeling to support climate-smart greenhouse strategies that optimize quality and storability under variable growing conditions. Full article

Fresh figs are a highly perishable fruit with a very limited shelf life. Consequently, the development of innovative strategies at both the preharvest and postharvest stages is essential to enhance their quality and extend their shelf life. This study aimed to evaluate the postharvest performance of fresh figs (cv. Calabacita) treated preharvest with oxalic acid (OA) via foliar spraying at 1.2 L per tree at two concentrations (1 and 2 mM), applied either twice or three times. Figs were harvested at commercial maturity and stored for 10 days at 1 °C and 90% relative humidity in darkness, with sampling carried out at 0, 3, 7 and 10 days. At each sampling point, physiological, physicochemical, and bioactive parameters were assessed, and an analysis of variance was performed to determine differences among OA treatments. The findings showed that the effectiveness of OA depended on the number of applications, with two preharvest sprays providing the most favourable outcomes. OA at 2 mM significantly reduced weight loss, respiration rate, and ethylene production compared with controls and increased titratable acidity. Furthermore, all OA treatments enhanced the antioxidant activity of the fruit, improving both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activity, as well as total phenolic content. This suggests improved stress tolerance supported by lower cell wall oxidation at the end of cold storage. In conclusion, two preharvest applications of oxalic acid effectively contribute to maintaining fruit quality and extending the storability of fresh figs during cold storage. Full article

Postharvest losses in onion (Allium cepa L.) bulbs constitute a major economic challenge globally, primarily driven by fungal pathogens and premature sprouting during long-term storage. Addressing these issues with effective preharvest strategies is critical for market stability and supply chain integrity. This study evaluated the effects of two preharvest fungicide strategies, i.e., T1 (dimethomorph + pyraclostrobin) and T2 (metalaxyl + mancozeb + copper oxychloride), on the crop yield, postharvest quality, and sprouting behavior of dried onion bulbs. Both treatments significantly reduced the incidence of foliar disease in the field and improved the crop yield of commercial bulbs compared to the control in two consecutive seasons. T1 achieved the highest yield (~76 and 88 t ha⁻¹ in ‘Mata Hari’ and ’Recas’ onions). During storage at 20 °C for 84 days, in the ‘Mata Hari’ cultivar, the T1 bulbs exhibited the lowest weight loss and respiration rate, the lowest sprouting incidence (1%), and superior firmness retention and higher total soluble solids. In contrast, control bulbs exhibited accelerated weight loss and tissue degradation, with up to 95% sprouting. Pyruvic acid content, an indicator of pungency, was highest in T1 bulbs and increased significantly in sprouted controls, likely due to internal enzymatic activation and tissue senescence. The fungicides indirectly delayed dormancy release by delaying sprouting and internal stem axis formation. Overall, T1 was the most effective strategy for preserving onion quality during storage without using synthetic sprout inhibitors. These findings support the integration of specific fungicide programs into preharvest management to improve onion storability, reduce postharvest losses, and maintain commercial value in intermediate-dormancy dried onion cultivars, such as ‘Mata Hari’. Full article

Table grapes suffer significant losses due to issues such as fungal infections, cracking, and berry shattering, which affect them both in the vineyard during ripening and throughout postharvest storage. Current control methods, such as sulfur dioxide (SO₂) treatments, are increasingly constrained by potential fruit damage and regulatory limitations, prompting a search for sustainable alternatives. This comprehensive review synthesizes the current scientific understanding and recent studies regarding calcium dynamics and proposes sorbitol as an innovative preharvest solution to enhance table grape quality through improved calcium (Ca) transport. Ca is a vital macronutrient for cell wall integrity and fruit resistance; however, its inherent low mobility in the phloem restricts its effective delivery to developing fruits, particularly after the veraison stage. This review thoroughly discusses the mechanistic hypotheses by which sorbitol, a naturally occurring sugar-alcohol, acts as a “vector” by forming stable, soluble complexes with Ca, thereby facilitating its crucial translocation to fruit tissues. Preharvest foliar applications of these calcium-sorbitol complexes have demonstrated numerous benefits, improving fruit firmness, reducing the incidence of cracking and shattering, mitigating fungal decay, and boosting antioxidant activity. These effects collectively enhance overall fruit quality and extend storability. Finally, we outline future directions for investigation, aiming to further clarify the molecular mechanisms involved and explore the potential of sorbitol to form complexes with other poorly mobile nutrients and plant elicitors, opening new avenues for sustainable crop management. Full article

Bacterial diseases cause significant economic losses and pose a major challenge to global crop yields. These diseases reduce yields and affect food security, particularly for small-scale farmers in developing regions. Post-harvest losses also contribute to resource waste, soil degradation, and deforestation. Conventional management strategies, such as synthetic fungicides and antimicrobials, raise concerns about environmental sustainability, human health, and pathogen resistance. Bacteriophages—viruses that selectively infect bacterial pathogens—offer a highly specific and eco-friendly alternative for disease management both post-harvest and pre-harvest, reducing the need for chemical pesticides throughout the plant lifecycle. This review examines bacteriophage biology, advantages over traditional treatments, and challenges to their application. Phages effectively target pathogens such as Pectobacterium, Xanthomonas, Xylella, Clavibacter, and Dickeya, while preserving beneficial microorganisms. Key challenges include bacterial resistance, regulatory hurdles, and phage stability under environmental conditions. Advances in phage genomics, bioengineering, and formulation have enhanced viability and efficacy, supporting phages as promising biocontrol agents. Integrating phage therapy with other eco-friendly strategies may improve effectiveness further. Future research should focus on optimizing production, refining regulations, and large-scale field studies to ensure practical feasibility. Addressing these issues will help bacteriophages contribute significantly to sustainable plant disease management and global food security. Full article

Poultry production has become the fastest-growing sector in global meat supply. However, the intensification of poultry farming has increased the risk of zoonotic transmission of bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, and Listeria monocytogenes. These bacterial agents pose major public health concerns, contributing to millions of human infections annually and substantial economic losses. Historically, antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) were widely used to mitigate disease burden and improve poultry productivity. Yet, the global shift away from AGPs due to concerns over antimicrobial resistance has spurred interest in antimicrobial alternatives. Among these, probiotics have been explored as a promising preharvest intervention. This review investigates major bacterial foodborne pathogens associated with poultry and evaluates the practical implementation of probiotic-based strategies in modern poultry production systems, with the goal of reducing pathogen load and enhancing overall food safety. Full article

Extending the postharvest life of apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.) while maintaining their quality is a significant challenge due to their perishability, climacteric ripening, and susceptibility to mechanical injury. This study evaluated the effects of preharvest calcium (Ca) application and postharvest treatments, including modified-atmosphere packaging (MAP) and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), on apricot quality during storage, carried out in two production years (2016 and 2017) under contrasting climatic conditions. Apricot fruits, cv. ‘Buda’, were treated with Ca before harvest and subjected to MAP or 1-MCP postharvest treatment. Quality parameters, including firmness, color, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), carotenoids, phenols, respiration rate, and sensory attributes, were analyzed over 15 days of cold storage followed by 3 days of shelf life (15 + 3). The growing season significantly influenced all measured parameters. Fruits harvested in 2017 had double the initial firmness compared to those from 2016 (50.03 N vs. 24.3 N), with higher sweetness and acidity scores. Ca treatment effectively reduced firmness loss by 30% in 2016, particularly beneficial under that year’s wetter conditions, but showed limited impact in the drier 2017 season. MAP successfully delayed ripening and maintained higher acidity levels across both years compared to controls. While 1-MCP treatment preserved fruit firmness effectively, it reduced sweetness perception by 37–59% and limited aroma development, with effects most pronounced in 2017. Sensory evaluation revealed no negative impacts of the applied treatments on overall taste acceptance, with Ca-treated fruits scoring significantly higher for sweetness than controls. The combination of preharvest Ca and postharvest treatments showed potential for extending apricots’ shelf life, but their efficacy was highly dependent on yearly climatic variability. These findings demonstrate that treatment effectiveness varies substantially between years, with Ca applications providing greater benefits in wet years, while 1-MCP and MAP showed more a consistent performance across varying climatic conditions. Therefore, customized and specifically tailored pre- and postharvest protocols are greatly needed to maintain the fruit quality and achieve targeted storage outcomes. Full article

Silique dehiscence is a critical biological phenomenon in rapeseed production that significantly influences seed maturity, harvesting efficiency, and ultimately yield. As one of the world’s most important oilseed crops, studying the mechanisms underlying silique dehiscence in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) not only aids in understanding fundamental principles of plant development but also provides a scientific basis for optimizing agricultural production practices. Silique dehiscence occurs naturally during the maturation process of rapeseed, with the timing and extent of this phenomenon directly affecting seed harvesting efficiency. This paper reviews the research progress regarding the mechanization of canola production, which enhances harvesting efficiency by enabling timely harvest coordination to minimize pre-harvest shattering losses and reduce post-harvest seed damage. Additionally, it addresses the factors influencing pod shattering, the process of pod shattering, the genes associated with this phenomenon, and the molecular mechanisms underlying pod shattering. These findings establish a foundation for a comprehensive understanding of pod shattering in canola. Full article

Chitosan is an eco-friendly polysaccharide, enhancing growth and managing disease infections in fruits and vegetables. This study examines the effects of preharvest application of chitosan and calcium (Ca) on yield and postharvest chitosan coating on tomato storage. There were nine preharvest treatments, viz., T0 = control, T1 = 50 ppm chitosan, T2 = 80 ppm chitosan, T3 = 0.50% Ca, T4 = 1.0% Ca, T5 = T1 and T3 (combined), T6 = T2 and T3 (combined), T7 = T1 and T4 (combined), and T8 = T2 and T4 (combined), and three postharvest treatments, viz., C0 = control, C1 = 0.10% chitosan, and C2 = 0.20% chitosan, to examine the yield parameters and major physical and biochemical qualities of tomatoes on different days after postharvest storage (DAPS). The results revealed that chitosan and Ca treatments had a significant influence on yield while showing an insignificant impact on the biochemical qualities of fresh-harvested tomatoes. Postharvest application of chitosan coatings effectively reduced weight loss and shrinkage (34–37%) compared to the control. At 20 DAPS, only the 0.20% solution met the marketable threshold of ≥5.0, while the control failed in 100% of the samples. As storage duration increased, titratable acid and vitamin C decreased, while lycopene and sugar content rose in tomatoes. This research indicates that foliar spraying with 80 ppm chitosan during fruit initiation significantly boosts tomato yield, and a 0.20% chitosan coating on postharvest tomatoes enhances longevity and preserves biochemical quality. Full article

Aflatoxins, toxic secondary metabolites produced primarily by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, pose significant risks to food safety, public health, and global trade. These mycotoxins contaminate staple crops such as maize and peanuts, particularly in warm and humid regions, leading to economic losses and severe health effects, including hepatocellular carcinoma, immune suppression, and growth impairment. In addition to aflatoxins, Aspergillus species produce other toxic metabolites such as ochratoxin A, sterigmatocystin, and cyclopiazonic acid, which are associated with nephrotoxic, carcinogenic, and neurotoxic effects, respectively. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of aflatoxin toxicity, mitigation strategies, and chemical detection methods. The toxicity of aflatoxins is discussed in relation to their biochemical mechanisms, carcinogenicity, and synergistic effects with other mycotoxins. Various mitigation approaches, including pre-harvest biocontrol, post-harvest storage management, and novel detoxification methods such as enzymatic degradation and nanotechnology-based interventions, are evaluated. Furthermore, advances in aflatoxin detection, including chromatographic, immunoassay, and biosensor-based methods, are explored to improve regulatory compliance and food safety monitoring. This review underscores the need for integrated management strategies and global collaboration to reduce aflatoxin contamination and its associated health and economic burdens. Future research directions should focus on genetic engineering for resistant crop varieties, climate adaptation strategies, and improved risk assessment models. Full article

In the context of increasing consumer demand for high-quality, residue-free fruits and the growing emphasis on sustainable postharvest technologies, identifying effective, eco-friendly treatments to maintain grape quality during storage has become a critical focus in modern viticulture. Over the course of this study, we examined the influence of seaweed extract (derived from Ascophyllum nodosum) and ethanol-based postharvest treatments on the postharvest quality of the ‘Tarsus Beyazı’ grape. The seaweed extract was applied at six specific phenological stages according to the BBCH scale: BBCH 13 (3rd–4th leaf stage, 0.40%), BBCH 60 (first flower sheath opening, 0.50%), BBCH 71 (fruit set, 0.50%), BBCH 75 (chickpea-sized berries, 0.50%), BBCH 81 (start of ripening, 0.60%), and BBCH 89 (harvest maturity, 0.60%). After harvest, grape clusters were subjected to four different postharvest treatments: untreated control, control + ethanol (20% ethanol immersion for 10 s), seaweed extract alone (preharvest applications only), and seaweed extract + ethanol (combining both preharvest and postharvest treatments). Grapes were stored at 0–1 °C and 90–95% RH for three weeks, followed by a shelf-life evaluation period of three days at 20 °C and 60–65% RH. The findings revealed that seaweed treatments, especially when applied during cluster formation and berry development, effectively mitigated physiological deterioration, preserving stem turgidity and enhancing berry firmness. In contrast, ethanol showed variable responses, occasionally exerting negative effects, with only marginal benefits observed when applied at optimal developmental stages. Both the type and timing of application emerged as critical determinants of key quality attributes such as weight loss, decay incidence, and must properties (TSS, pH, TA). Correlation and heat map analyses indicated the interrelationships among these parameters and the differential impacts of treatments. These results suggest that phenological-stage-specific seaweed applications hold significant potential as a sustainable strategy to extend the storage life and maintain the market quality of ‘Tarsus Beyazı’ grapes. Full article

Boreal forests have historically been regarded as some of the largest terrestrial carbon (C) sinks. However, increased soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition due to forest harvesting and post-harvest silviculture (e.g., site preparation, planting, and managing for competing vegetation) may exacerbate the effects of climate warming and shift boreal forests from being C sinks to C sources. We used an established stand-scale, fully replicated, experimental study to identify how two levels of forest management (harvesting = Harvest Only, and harvesting with post-harvest silviculture = Harvest Plus) influence SOC dynamics at three boreal forest sites varying in soil texture. Each site was surveyed for forest floor (litter and F/H horizons) and mineral soils pre-harvest (0) and 5, 14, and 20 years post-harvest. We predicted that sites harvested and left to revegetate naturally would have the lowest SOC stocks after 20 years, as sites that were planted and managed for competing vegetation would recover faster and contribute to a larger nutrient pool, and that the sand-dominated site would have the largest SOC losses following harvest due to the inherently lower ability of sand soils to chemically and/or physically protect SOC from decomposition following harvest. Over a 20-year period, both forest management treatments generally resulted in reduced total (litter, F/H, and mineral horizon) SOC stocks compared with the control: the Harvest Only treatment reduced overall SOC stocks by 15% at the silt-dominated site and 31% at the clay-dominated site but increased overall SOC stocks by 4% at the sand-dominated site, whereas the Harvest Plus treatment reduced overall SOC stocks by 32% at the sand- and silt-dominated sites and 5% at the clay-dominated site. This suggests that harvesting and leaving plots to revegetate naturally on sand-dominated sites and harvesting followed by post-harvest silviculture on clay-dominated sites may minimize total SOC losses at similar sites, though a full replicated field experiment is needed to test this hypothesis. Most treatment effects in this study were observed only in the second decade post-harvest (14 and 20 years post-harvest), highlighting the importance of long-term field experiments on the effects of forest harvesting and post-harvest silviculture. This research improves our understanding of the relationship between C dynamics, forest management, and soil texture, which is integral for developing sustainable management strategies that optimize C sequestration and contribute to the resilience of boreal forest ecosystems in the face of climate change. Full article