Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Harvesting
* Cooling
Grading
Pre-treatment
Pestand disease control
Packaging
Cooling
Storage
Export
Import
Transport
Wholesaling
Retailing
Marketing
Figure 19.6 Out-turn examination of cut boronia
flowers by plant quarantine inspectors following a
trial sea shipment from Perth, Australia to
Yokohama, Japan.
Consumption
Figure 19.7 Generic cut-flower handling chart.
* indicates removal of field heat; a vitally important
step, where practical, within the context of post-harvest
handling chain logistics.
appeal. Most infestations occur during growing, but there
is evidence of insects moving into flowers, bunches and
packages after harvest and during transport. Almost any
live insect in international cut flower consignments can
result in rejection or fumigation by plant inspection
services (Figure 19.6).
Grey mould or botrytis blight, caused by the fungal
pathogen Botrytis cinerea (de Bary) Whetzel, is the major
disease of a wide range of cut flowers, including
carnation  and rose (Orlikowski 1991; Wills et al . 1998;
Reid, 2002; Plate 19.2). This pathogen can colonise dead
or dying tissue, such as the senescing anthers or stigmas on
Geraldton waxflower (Beasley & Joyce 2002). Botrytis
spores can also directly penetrate healthy tissue, including
gerbera, rose and freesia petals (Pie & De Leeuw 1991;
Salinas & Verhoeff 1995; Darras et al . 2006). Spore germi-
nation typically requires free water, such as condensate at
high humidity (Hammer & Marois 1989; Darras et al .
2006). Necrotic flecking on petals may be symptomatic of
direct penetration. Most fungal infection occurs during
flower growth. Latent infections can remain quiescent until
changes in host physiology and/or environmental
conditions trigger pathogen growth and development. For
example, after harvest, inadequate cooling, high humidity,
condensation, tight packing and slow marketing can all
contribute to massive fungal growth. Development of tan
lesions and/or superficial growth of white mycelium with
grey spore masses typify active botrytis infection.
Compared with other fungal pathogens, botrytis is
relatively active at low and intermediate temperatures.
Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl. is another significant cut
flower pathogen (Taylor et al . 1998).
POST-HARVEST HANDLING PRACTICES
Figure 19.7 depicts the generic post-harvest operations for
cut flowers (Halevy & Mayak 1981; Wills et al . 1998; Reid
2002, 2004). Because of their wide variety, no single flow
chart suits all flowers. It is important for people involved in
post-harvest operations to gain an appreciation of the
product that they are handling. In this context, training of
personnel is desirable. Experience in one fresh flower
distribution centre in California was that losses were
markedly reduced when workers were told of the delicate
nature of, and actually shown, the produce within the
cartons that they handled on a day-to-day basis! Losses
were reduced through better cool chain management and
less physical damage. Moreover, distribution centre
workers assumed more ownership of the product, took
greater pride in their work and contributed useful
suggestions for improved workplace practices.
Production factors affecting
post-harvest quality
It is wise to grow popular flower species and varieties that
have inherently long life. Quality, including longevity, is
the result of sound production practices. Optimum water,
fertiliser, pesticide and management lead to healthy and
vigorous growth. It is particularly important to reduce pest
and disease infestation during production.
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