12 Jul Biodegradable Nano Formulation extends the shelf life of Horticulture Crops
बागवानी फसलों के शेल्फ जीवन विस्तार के लिए बायोडिग्रेडेबल नैनो फॉर्म्यूलेशन Horticulture crops play important role in economic development of the country and it contributes 30.4 per cent to GDP of agriculture. But the post-harvest loss reduced the quality of commodities, in India the estimated loss ranges from 14-36% in fruits and 10-25% in vegetables. Every year we lost approx 1 lakh crore Rs due to post harvest losses in horticulture crops. Ripened fruits are terribly spoil and prone to transport harm which consequently leads to loss of quality and quantity. This is particularly common in developing countries because of poor post-harvest handling systems, storage facilities and transportation. Various factors responsible for post-harvest losses can be categorized into two major categories. First, pre harvest losses because of farmers’ poor agricultural techniques (i.e. varieties with low shelf life, imbalanced use of nutrients, abiotic stresses, insects, pests and disease infestation), old harvesting procedures, non-utilization of pre-harvest suggested methods. Second, harvest losses due to careless harvesting, harvesting at inappropriate stage, dumping produce without pre-cooling, moisture strengthening that causes pathogen infestation, bulk packaging without grading of produce and reprehensible transportation and storage to distant market distribution. These losses return low profits to growers and processors. Adverse Effects of Chemicals on fruits and vegetables: Traditionally, post-harvest management practices/ techniques like pre-cooling after harvest, refrigeration storage, post-harvest uniform heat treatment of tomatoes, modified...