Postharvest Diseases of Fruits and Vegetables: Development and Control

Preface. Chapter 1. Introduction. Chapter 2. Postharvest Disease Initiation. The pathogens. The origin of the pathogens. Spore germi nation. Pathogen penetration into the host. Chapter 3. Each Frui t or Vegetable and its Characteristic Pathogens. Host-pathogen combinations in postharvest diseases. The main pathogens of harvested fr uits and vegetables. Chapter 4. Factors Affecting Disease Develo pment. Preharvest factors, harvesting and handling. Inoculum le vel. Storage conditions. Conditions pertaining to the host tissues. Host -pathogen interactions. Chapter 5. Attack Mechanisms of the Path ogen. Enzymatic activity. Toxin production. Detoxification of h ost-defense compounds by pathogens. Chapter 6. Host Protection a nd Defense Mechanisms. The cuticle as a barrier against invasio n. Inhibitors of cell-wall degrading enzymes. Preformed inhibitory compo unds. Phytoalexins - induced inhibitory compounds. Wound healing and hos t barriers. Active oxygen. Pathogenesis-related proteins. Chapte postharvest pathology, scientists in research institutes, companies dealing with fruit and vegetable preservation technologies and for all those striving to improve the quality of harvested fruits and vegetables will find this book of great interest.