Republic of the Philippines

UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM

Province of Rizal
Tanay Main Campus
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
PRE-HARVEST INFLUENCES ON POST-HARVEST PERFORMANCE OF

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Submitted to

PROF. ELVIRA S. ABINES

Subject Professor, REQUIRED MAJOR 4

(Post-Harvest Handling and Seed Technology)

Submitted by

JOSHUA M. FLORANO

BSA IV-2 AS MAJOR

 Republic of the Philippines
UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM
Province of Rizal
Tanay Main Campus
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
I. Introduction

The challenge in the context of a global horticultural food supply is improving crop

quality and shelf-life. Horticultural crops are an important source of carbohydrates,

proteins, organic acids, vitamins and minerals for human nutrition and health.

In addition to the health benefits that can be derived from their consumption, fruits

and vegetable also function as precious sources of bioactive compounds for food

functionalization or nutraceutical preparations. To improve quality and reduce losses,

producers and handlers should understand the biological, environmental, and

technological factors affecting quality and deterioration.

Assurance of the overall quality and condition of fresh produce cannot be improved

after harvest. It is the final potential market value of the produce that depends on the

grower’s decisions on what and when to plant and on the subsequent cultivating and

harvesting practices.

Growers in general rely on their own experience and local traditions in selecting

crops and in cultivation practices, but if they want or need assistance, they may need to

be referred to agricultural extension officers or possibly to research and development

specialists of their national department of agriculture or its equivalent.

The effects of preharvest factors on postharvest quality are often overlooked and

underestimated. However, many of the decisions that we make during crop production

can greatly influence the postharvest quality of crops. It is critical to remember that

vegetable quality is only maintained postharvest – it is not improved during the harvest

and storage processes.

 Republic of the Philippines
UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM
Province of Rizal
Tanay Main Campus
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
Thus, it is of utmost importance to consider the preharvest factors that allow us to

maximize the quality of the vegetables going into storage. These factors encompass

production and management decisions concerning soil fertility, variety selection,

irrigation, and pest management.

Considering the different factors that are present in the surrounding, growers should

have identified the pre-harvest factors that affects the quality of post-harvest in order to

achieve a high-quality produce. The aim of this paper is to highlight and describe recent

research regarding preharvest and postharvest factors and technologies that affect

horticultural product (fresh and processed) quality and shelf-life.

II. Pre-harvest Factors and their Effects on Postharvest Quality of

Perishables

A. Genetic

The cultivar of the fruit species is one of the most important factors in

determining the variation in, e.g., the fruit’s soluble solids content and acidity.

Nowadays, horticultural breeding and biotechnology could play a significant role in

improving and maintaining postharvest quality and the safety of fresh produce.

Moreover, the growers have the choice of selecting preferred cultivars prior to planting

crops. (Bekele D. 2018)

In the study of Martinez C., et.al. in 2021, they have identified the Genetic and

Pre- and Postharvest Factors Influencing the Content of Antioxidants in Cucurbit Crops.

Several studies have demonstrated the remarkable contents of valuable compounds in

cucurbits, including antioxidants such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and carotenoids, but

 Republic of the Philippines
UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM
Province of Rizal
Tanay Main Campus
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
also tannins and terpenoids, which are abundant. This antioxidant power is beneficial

for human health, but also in facing plant diseases and abiotic stresses. This review

brings together data on the antioxidant properties of cucurbit species, addressing the

genetic and pre- and postharvest factors that regulate the antioxidant content in

different plant organs.

Several parameters of quality are controlled genetically. For example,

horticultural breeding and biotechnology which could play a significant role in improving

and maintaining the post-harvest quality. There is also freedom in choosing the types of

cultivar that growers can choose prior to planting crops.

B. Climatic Condition

Environmental factors such as light, CO2, relative humidity, temperature and

water availability are major direct or indirect constraints for plant photosynthesis.

Environmental factors affect the content of bioactive compounds indirectly by giving the

prerequisites for photosynthesis, and thereby providing energy or precursors of the

synthesis of the bioactive compounds.

Further, the syntheses of these compounds are also affected directly by various

environmental factors. Abiotic conditions, i.e. soil fertility and water availability, vary

from year to year and site to site, and can affect the level and quality of fruit after

harvest. Increased exposure to light increases fruit size, total soluble solids and flesh

firmness.

C. Nutrient Management
 Republic of the Philippines
UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM
Province of Rizal
Tanay Main Campus
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
Nutrients also have significant impacts on fruit quality which includes effects on

fruit color, texture, disease susceptibility, juice composition and the development of

physiological disorders. High calcium uptakes in fruits also reduces respiration rate and

ethylene production. (Singh et.al 2013).

The effect of soil on fruit quality is largely dependent on plant nutrient availability.

Differences in soil patterns also affect the internal quality of pears. Fruit from sandy soils

have lower firmness and TSS levels. Plant nutrition is an important factor that potentially

affects both the quality and postharvest life of fruit. Optimum plant performance

depends on a balanced availability of mineral nutrients that can be limited in many soils

around the world. Nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) are the principal nutrients needed by

plants.

D. Water Management

Water stress not only reduces crop productivity but also tends to accelerate fruit

ripening. Decreasing fruit moisture loss during storage also significantly decrease the

incidence of pathological and physiological disorders. The sunburns and cracking in

apples is caused by moisture stress and increase in temperature at maturity will lead to

fruit cracking and burning in litchi.

Adequate soil moisture during the preharvest period is essential for the

maintenance of postharvest quality. Water stress during the growing season can affect

the size of the harvested plant organ, and lead to soft or dehydrated fruit that is more

prone to damage and decay during storage. On the other hand, vegetables

experiencing an excess of water during the growing season can show a dilution of
 Republic of the Philippines
UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM
Province of Rizal
Tanay Main Campus
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
soluble solids and acids, affecting flavor and nutritional quality (Shewfelt and Prussia

1993).

Excess moisture on the harvested vegetable can also increase the incidence of

postharvest diseases. To minimize the amount of water on the harvested vegetable

brought into storage, it may be beneficial to choose surface or subsurface irrigation

rather than overhead irrigation. Vegetables harvested in the early morning, during rainy

periods, and from poorly ventilated areas can also experience increased postharvest

decay.

E. Stage of Maturity and Ripeness

Maturity always has a considerable influence on the quality of fresh produce as

well as the storage potential and occurrence of many storage disorders (Siddiqui and

Dhua, 2010).

The maturity at harvest has a major impact on quality and post-harvest life

potential of fruits and vegetables. This is the starting point of postharvest quality

management. Therefore, it must be ensured that properly matured fruits should be

harvested. It must be harvested when it attains the appropriate stage of development

based on physiological and horticultural maturity.

Harvest maturity varies in accordance with the crop concerned. The fruit is

harvested at different stages of maturity depending on how far the fruit will be

transported, how long it will be kept in storage and the requirements for the specific

market. Maturity always has a considerable influence on the quality of fresh produce as

well as the storage potential and occurrence of many storage disorders.

 Republic of the Philippines
UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM
Province of Rizal
Tanay Main Campus
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
Maturity at harvest has a major impact on quality and postharvest life potential of

fruits and vegetables. All fruits with a few exceptions avocados, bananas and pears

reach their best quality stage when fully ripen on tree.

F. Disease Management

Postharvest disease may occur at any time during postharvest handling, from

harvest to consumption. Losses caused by postharvest diseases are greater than

generally realized because the value of fresh fruits increases several fold while passing

from the field to the consumer.

Certain pre-harvest sprays are known to reduce decay in storage. Several

studies have been done on the effectiveness of pre-harvest ziram fungicide application

on pome fruit and show an average reduction in decay of about 25 to 50% with a single

spray (Coats, et al. 1995). Iprodione has been used for several years as a pre-harvest

spray 1 day before harvest to prevent infection of stone fruit by Monilinia spp. In

combination with wax and/or oil its decay control spectrum is increased and it will also

control postharvest fungi such as Rhizopus, and Alternaria. The new class of strobilurin

fungicides promises to provide postharvest control of several diseases in fruits. They

are especially effective against fruit scab on apples and should reduce the presence of

pin point scab in storage.

A wide variety of fungal and bacterial pathogens cause postharvest disease in fruits.

Some of these infect produce before harvest and then remain quiescent until conditions

are more favourable for disease development after harvest. Other pathogens infect
 Republic of the Philippines
UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM
Province of Rizal
Tanay Main Campus
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
produce during and after harvest through surface injuries. In the development of

strategies for postharvest disease control, it is imperative to take a step back and

consider the production and postharvest handling systems in their entirety. Many

preharvest factors directly and indirectly influence the development of postharvest

disease, even in the case of infections initiated after harvest.

Traditionally fungicides have played a central role in postharvest disease control.

However, trends towards reduced chemical usage in horticulture are forcing the

development of new strategies. All fruits are storage as the average temperature for the

good marketing whereas fruit crops are affected by the many pathogens on postharvest.

III. Recommended practices to overcome negative effects of Pre-harvest

Factors

There are many factors that has numerous negative effects on the harvests. These

includes the different practices that has negative impact and it should be addressed to

ensure that the effect will not be severe to any of the commodity and thus will improve

the quality of the produce. For genetic factors which utilizes breeding and engineering of

plant genes and other cultivars, it should be done without compromising the taste and

over all characteristics of the produce.

Nutrient and other mineral uptakes should also be regulated, assess maturity of the

produce, the water quality should also be put to consider. During irrigation, the growers

should utilize types of irrigation that will not damage the produce. Moisture content of

the produce shoud also be identified and regulated so that it won’t affect the longevity of

the product in the storage.

 Republic of the Philippines
UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM
Province of Rizal
Tanay Main Campus
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
In relation to the management of diseases during pre-harvest, the growers should

use natural pesticides so that it will not directly affect the harvest. The negative

implications of using chemical pesticides will be lessen and the quality of having a safe

product in the market will be achieved.

Adherence to the natural way of managing pre-harvest will also help to lessen the

impact of numerous practices done in pre-harvest.

IV. Conclusion

The maintenance or improvement of the postharvest life of fresh horticultural

crops is becoming increasingly important. Indeed, appropriate pre-harvest and

postharvest handling and technology play a key role in increasing food availability and

maintaining food quality.

Fresh horticultural crops are different in terms of morphological structure (roots,

stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, etc.), in composition, and in general physiology, for that

reason, commodities requirements and recommendations to maintain quality and

improve postharvest life vary among the products.

The connection between quality build-up in the preharvest period and its impact

on the technological quality traits have been frequently overlooked and detailed

knowledge is still missing. Fruit and vegetable quality parameters include size, visual

attractiveness (color, shape), taste, health benefits, shelf life, suitability for processing,

and so on.

During the production chain, specific criteria prevail depending on the product's

final destination, either the fresh market or the processing industry. During the
 Republic of the Philippines
UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM
Province of Rizal
Tanay Main Campus
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
postharvest life, as maturation progresses, genetic, chemicals, and environmental

control can help to maintain product quality. Improving shelf life, maintaining quality, and

reducing waste while reducing the use of chemicals is mandatory to meet the

consumer's demand and reduce losses along the food chain.

V. References

Desta Bekele. Review on Factors Affecting Postharvest Quality of Fruits. J Plant

Sci Res. 2018;5(2): 180.

Adapted from: Silva, E. 2008. Influence of preharvest factors on postharvest

quality. In Wholesale success: a farmer's guide to selling, postharvest handling, and
packing produce (Midwest edition). Available online at:
http://www.familyfarmed.org/wholesale-success/ (verified 19 May 2011).

Paudel, Jiwan & Kumar, Shrvan & Yadav, Dipak. (2019). Pre-harvest and Post-
harvest factors affecting the quality of fruits. 10.13140/RG.2.2.29847.93608.

Ahmad MS, Siddiqui MW (2015) Postharvest quality Assurance of fruits: Practical

approaches for developing Countries. Food Sci Nutr pp: 224.

CCDC (Cold Chain Development Centre) (2010) Cold storage for fresh
Horticulture produce requiring pre-cooling before storage (technical Standards number
NHB -CS- Type 02-2010). National Horticulture Board (Department of Agriculture and
Cooperation Ministry of Agriculture Gov’t of India) 85, Institutional Area, Sector 18,
Gurgaon -122015 (Haryana).