Course information

This course focuses on the identification, etiology, and management of diseases affecting agricultural products during the postharvest phase, specifically in transit and storage. Students will examine the biological and environmental factors that contribute to commodity spoilage, with an emphasis on the physiological interactions between host tissues and opportunistic pathogens. The curriculum covers the diagnostic characteristics of major postharvest decays caused by fungi and bacteria, as well as the mechanisms of pathogen entry.

This course equips learners with the technical ability to assess postharvest losses, implement integrated disease management (IDM) strategies, and utilize modern control technologies—including physical, chemical, and biological treatments. By studying the principles of postharvest pathology, graduate students will gain a deeper understanding of how temperature, humidity, and atmospheric composition influence disease progression. This knowledge enables them to develop science-based protocols to maintain crop quality, extend shelf life, and ensure food security within the global supply chain.