Horticultural Chain Management for Eastern and Southern Africa

Professor Lise Korsten is Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of Pretoria, South Africa. Ms A Lombard works at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. Dr. Dharini Sivakumar works at the Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of Pretoria, South Africa. Dr. Rosa Rolle is an Agricultural Industries Officer in the Agricultural Support Systems Division of the FAO, in Rome, Italy. Ms. Hester Vermulen works at the University of Pretoria, South Africa.

• Acknowledgements   I. Introduction to the Practical Manual   II. Meeting the Consumer 1. Meeting the Consumer and Observing Consumer Behaviour   III. Field Visits 1. Visit to a Fresh Produce Market 2. Visit to an Orchard 3. Visit to a Pack House   IV. Microbiology 1. Introduction to Micro-organisms 2. Setting up a Basic Microbiology Laboratory 3. Demonstrating the Omnipresence of Micro-organisms   V. Detection of Post-Harvest Pathogens 1. Detection of Yeasts and Moulds 2. Detection of Fungi   VI. Monitoring Sources of Contamination during Post-Harvest Operations 1. Water as a Source of Produce Contamination 2. Monitoring the Hygiene of Surfaces 3. Demonstrating the Importance of Effective Hand Washing   VII. Assessment of Fresh Produce Quality 1. Determination of Total Soluble Solids (TSS) using a Refractometer 2. Measurement of Fruit Firmness using a Penetrometer 3. Measurement of pH 4. Measurement of Fruit Acids by Titration and Calculation of the Total Soluble Solids (TSS) to Acid Ratio 5. Impact of Handling 6. Impact of Ineffective Cold Chain Management   VIII. References

‘Clear and straightforward, this manual can help trainers organise their workshops in a logical and complete way.’