Post-Harvest Management of Horticultural Crops

India has a rich biodiversity of horticultural crops growing in its varied agro-climatic regions, Fruits, vegetables, flowers, ornamentals and spices are perishable in nature and their shelf life is limited, depending upon environmental ad handling conditions. Due to poor Post-Harvest Management Practices, and lack on infrastructure facilities, huge losses (20-40%) occur which cause an annual estimated loss of Rs. 23,000 crores. The subject matter of the book covers Post harvest physiology, Scientific handling, grading and storage methods, Post harvest diseases, Solar/Osmotic dehydration techniques, Food irradiation, Food biotechnology, Food safety and quality assurance (HACCP), and Post harvest technology of species like saffron and kalazeera, Floral dehydration and On-farm agro-processing/value addition techniques from employment generation. The present book provides technical know how of the latest Post-Harvest management/Processing techniques which will have an impact on reduction of post harvest losses in perishable horticultural produce and will lead to sustainable development of our agrarian economy. The aim of the book is to create capacity that would enable safe handling of produce to process, package and transport to remunerative markets so as to minimize post harvest loss and improve net availability of quality saleable produce to consumers and net return to growers. This book is useful to the Food Scientists, Post Harvest technologists, Horticulturalists, Agri-business Entrepreneurs, Supply-Chain Management Professionals, Warehouse Handlers, UG and PG students of Agricultural universities.