305325 (v.1) Post Harvest Horticulture and Quality Management 501

Area:

Muresk Institute

Credits:

25.0

Contact Hours:

5.0

Lecture:

1 x 2 Hours Weekly

Tutorial:

1 x 0.5 Hours Weekly

Laboratory:

1 x 0.5 Hours Weekly

Fieldwork:

4 x 4 Hours Quarterly

Syllabus:

Explore the post-harvest phase, quality of product, pre-harvest and post harvest conditions affecting quality, physiological and commercial maturity and maturity indices. Post-harvest physiological processes affecting shelf life and quality, factors affecting the post-harvest physiological processes, physiological disorders, pests and diseases. Commodity treatments, handling, packing and distribution, storage, minimal processing and quality management and evaluation of fruit and vegetables.

Unit Outcomes:

On completion of this unit students will have - Explained the importance of the post-harvest phase of production for horticultural crops and describe pre-harvest treatment conditions, which impact, on post-harvest quality of horticultural crops. Related post harvest physiological processes to harvesting, handling, transport and storage of harvested horticultural products. Analysed the impact of factors such as temperature, humidity, light and the composition of the atmosphere surrounding the fruit on post-harvest physiological processes, physiological disorders and on quality of the harvested product. Explained techniques and the reasons for the preparation of horticultural products for the market. Discussed techniques for controlling deterioration of harvested horticultural products including cool storage, modified atmosphere, controlled atmosphere storage and minimal processing of harvested products. Identified an appropriate method to apply to a given product. Related product distribution methods and the impact of handling and transport on the shelf life and quality of the harvested product. Applied subjective (hedonic) and appropriate objective quality assessment to horticultural products.

Text and references listed above are for your information only and current as of September 30, 2003. Please check with the unit coordinator for up-to-date information.

Unit References:

Kader A., (1992), Post-harvest Technology of Horticultural Crops. Davis, University of California. Mitra S., (1997), Post-harvest Physiology and Storage of Tropical and Subtropical Fruits. Wallingford, CABI Publishing. Seymour G.B, Taylor, J.E and TuckerG.A., (1993), Biochemistry of Fruit Ripening, New York, Chapman & Hall. Thompson A. K., (1996), Post-harvest Technology of Fruit and Vegetables. Oxford, Blackwell Science. Thompson A. K., (1998), Controlled Atmosphere Storage of Fruit and Vegetables, NewYork, CAB.

Unit Texts:

Wills R.B.H., McGlasson W.B, Graham D, Lee T.H and Hall E.G., (1996), Post-harvest: An Introduction to the Physiology and Handling of Fruit and Vegetables, Wellingford, United Kingdom, 4th ed. Kensington, CAB International.

Unit Assessment Breakdown:

Final exam 45%, Major assignment 15%, Mid Test 10%, Mini Research project 10%, Report on feild trip exercises on the practicals 20%. This is by grade/mark assessment.

Year	Location	Period	Internal	Area External	Central External
2004	Bentley Campus	Semester 1	Y