The aim of this module is to provide the learner with the fundamental knowledge and skills to manage horticultural crops post-harvest. Learners will study keys topics such as pre and post-harvest physiology, eating quality and it's retention, controlled atmospheric storage, modified atmospheric packaging and post-harvest pests and diseases.
Pre and Post-Harvest Physiology
Readiness for harvest. Changes during maturation and ripening. Calcium and fruit eating-quality. The respiration climacteric. The role of ethylene in fruit ripening.
Quality
Eating quality and its retention. Fruit sensory qualities. Factors that prolong storage life of fruit and vegetables. Maturity indices for horticultural crops.
Controlled Atmosphere Storage
Optimum atmospheric composition of CA stores for various fruit and vegetable crops. Effects of carbon dioxide, oxygen, relative humidity temperature, ethylene and scrubbers. Design of refrigerated stores, field heat removal, hydrocooling, top icing and forced air cooling.
Modified Atmosphere Packaging
Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) in the horticultural industry. Equilibrium modified atmosphere. Measuring respiration rates.
Post-Harvest Diseases
Postharvest diseases; physiology, pathology, principles of disease control.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Other Assessment(s) | 30 |
| Formal Examination | 70 |