Lecture No-1

Economic Significance of Post-Harvest diseases and

seed borne diseases
Objectives of Plant Pathology:
1. To study the living, non-living and environmental causes of plant
diseases. (Etiology)

2. To study the mechanisms of disease development by pathogens.

(Pathogenesis)

3. To study the interactions between the plants and the pathogen.

(Epidemology)

4. To develop the methods of controlling the diseases and reducing

the losses caused by them. (Control/ Management)
Disease Triangle:
Interaction between the host, the pathogen and the
environment results in disease development.
Post-Harvest Diseases

Seed Borne Diseases

 Post-Harvest Diseases
Postharvest diseases are those that
appear and develop after harvest.
or
The diseases which develop on
harvested parts of the plants like
seeds, fruits and also on vegetables
are the post-harvested diseases.
What causes post-harvest diseases?

Postharvest diseases caused by bacteria,

molds, and yeasts can result in considerable
losses of fresh produce during storage and in
the supply chain.
Control of postharvest diseases is therefore
one of the goals of postharvest technology of
horticultural crops.
Eg. Brown rot, Bulb rots, Black rot, Fruit rot
etc.
Seed Borne Diseases
Disease-causing organisms may be carried
with, on or in seeds and in suitable
environmental conditions, may be
transmitted to cause disease in developing
seedlings or plants.

Eg. Bacterial blight of Barley and wheat,

Basal glume rot of Barley, Common bunt
or stinking smut of Wheat.
Economic Significance of Post-Harvest diseases and
seed borne diseases:

•Losses due to postharvest disease may occur at any time

during postharvest handling, from harvest to
consumption.

•When estimating postharvest disease losses, it is

important to consider reductions in fruit quantity and
quality, as some diseases may not render produce
unsaleable yet still reduce product value.

•For example, blemished fruit may not be sold as fresh

fruit but may still be suitable for processing, in which
case, it brings a lower price.
•It is also important to take into account costs such as
harvesting, packaging and transport when determining the
value of produce lost as a result of postharvest wastage.

•Aside from direct economic considerations, diseased

produce poses a potential health risk.

•A number of fungal genera such as Penicilium, Alternarta

and Fusarium are known to produce mycotoxins under
certain conditions. Generally speaking, the greatest risk of
mycotoxin contamination occurs when diseased produce is
used in the production of processed food or animal feed.

•In most cases, fresh produce which is obviously diseased

would not be consumed.
 Lecture No-2

Historical Development in Seed

Pathology and
Post-harvest Diseases
 Lecture No-03
Objectives of Seed Pathology and
Post-harvest Diseases
Seed Pathology:
Seed pathology involves the study and
management of diseases affecting seed production
and utilization, as well as disease management
practices applied to seeds.
Objectives of Post-harvest Technology-

1. To reduce loss in quantity or volume and the product’s

qualitative or nutritional value.

2. To maintain the excellent quality of the produce (color,

taste, flavor, aroma).

3. To increases the shelf life of the crops.

4. To keep the fruits or vegetables or commodities free

from insects and pests.

5. To get vegetables and fruits fresh all year round.

Objectives of Seed Pathology and Post-harvest Diseases

1.To study the seed pathological diseases and their

management.

2. To study the post-harvest diseases and their

management.

3. To study about the latest developments in the

management of seed and post-harvest diseases.