Postharvest Biotechnology of Flowers and Ornamental Plants

This is a comprehensive account of the nature and extent of postharvest losses and their causes, due to the physiology of plant growth, senescence and disorders as well as postharvest diseases and pests. The contribution of biotechnology to the reduction of postharvest losses in a wide range of commercially important flowers, foliage and ornamental plants is particular emphasized. Background information on botany, commercial cultivars grown, physiology and biochemistry of individual crops during growth and senescence is provided for a better understanding of their postharvest behavior.