Postharvest Physiology and Pathology of Vegetables

Some ten years ago, the first edition filled a gap for a botanically-oriented book on the postharvest physiology of vegetables. In the context of large postharvest losses and heightened consumer awareness of the health benefits of fresh produce, Bartz (plant pathology, U. of Florida, Gainesville) and Brecht (horticultural sciences, same campus) incorporate advances in biochemistry, plant physiology, and molecular physiology to maximize vegetable quality. After a brief history of such advances over the past decade, chapters provide updated reviews of: the principles of harvest and storage; factors affecting postharvest physiology, including new material on calcium nutrition and irrigation control; product quality changes during handling and storage; technologies to improve quality; spoilage factors and biocontrol methods; and storage characteristics of produce by category. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)