EXTENDING THE QUALITY OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES VIA APPLICATION OF INNOVATIVE POSTHARVEST TECHNOLOGIES

The goals of this project are: a) develop a better understanding of how current and evolving technologies influence the postharvest quality of key and promising crops grown in Floridab) provide results and other relevant information to clientele groups including growers, packers and shippers, extension agents and allied industriesObjectives:a)Evaluate the potential of new and innovative technologies to extend quality of current and promising new crops grown in Florida, with emphasis on:rapid cooling/temperature managementmechanized harvestnovel integration of postharvest treatments such as 1-MCPb) Develop and disseminate relevant information that will assist growers, packers, and shippers to make postharvest operations more efficient and cost-effective:submit results to peer-reviewed journalspublish extension bulletins and trade journals as appropriateconduct training events based on new information developed from this project