Presenter: Wiehann Steyn
HORTGRO Science, PO Box 12789, Die Boord 7613
Dept. of Horticultural Science, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602
Contents
- HORTGRO background
- Postharvest research objectives
- Postharvest research needs
Staying Competitive, Staying in Business
Overall Objective
Addressing present and future challenges by:
- Providing a constant stream of well-trained people
- Developing technology
- Creating knowledge
Postharvest Research Objectives
- Provide a safe product of reliable, good quality
- Reduce wastage and losses from defects and pathogens
- Increase efficiencies throughout the postharvest value chain
- Increase sustainability of postharvest practices
- Reduce risk within the postharvest value chain
Funding Allocation – 2018/19
- Crop Protection and Market Access: 27%
- Crop Production: 30%
- Post-Harvest: 43%
Current Postharvest Research
Quality Management
- Moisture loss and shrivel (including edible coatings)
- FEMA
- Water deficit impact on quality and storability
- Ethylene management
- Maintenance of green colour
- CO₂ sensitivity
- Storage/ripening protocols
Physiological Defects
- Internal browning
- Superficial scald
- Lenticel disorders
- Textural disorders such as mealiness
- Internal heat damage
- Effect of environment on various disorders
Packaging and Logistics
- Packaging systems in High Cube containers
- Temperature/humidity regulation in containers
- Plastic alternatives/reduction
- AI – quality monitoring
Storage Techniques
- Performance evaluation of different storage equipment/techniques
- Determine optimum storage protocol/best practice guidelines
- Evaluation of non-chemical sanitation techniques
- Evaluation of cooling regimes
CA-Specific Research Needs
- [To be determined – ongoing research priorities]