Measurement and modelling of produce responses in postharvest effected by preharvest parameters

The postharvest behaviour of fruits and vegetables is strongly influenced b y the produce parameters at the date of harvest. Depending on the different preharvest parameters produce properties that result in different keeping quality in postharvest are induced. The basic idea of this study is to measure a produce property in postharves t that reflects the effects of different preharvest conditions. This variab le that describes the initial state of the produce is at the same time inpu t variable for a simple model. For this the tissue resistance in the water vapour pathway is determined by using the transpiration behaviour at define d heat and mass transfer conditions. In this way it is possible to evaluate preharvest influences and to create postharvest conditions that result in only few losses in quality. Copyright (C) 1998 IFAC.