Nanomaterials and postharvest management of horticultural crops

The need for food grows day by day due to the increase in population, which is why it is necessary to improve agricultural production systems to make them more efficient and productive. However, not only this goal is important but also the postharvest handling of horticultural crops since a large part of these products is lost at this stage and does not reach the final consumer. Currently, different tools are used with the aim of extending the shelf life of horticultural products, among which are coatings, packaging, bags, modification of the warehouse atmosphere, among others. However, even with these technologies, it has not been enough to end the problems that arise in the postharvest period. An interesting option has been the use of nanomaterials (NMs) to improve postharvest handling of horticultural crops. These NMs can be used or applied in different ways from direct application to horticultural products to the development of new materials that can be used as coatings, packaging, or others. The observed results are promising since it has been possible to improve the shelf life of horticultural products derived from changes in postharvest physiology and control of microorganisms. SourceNanomaterials and postharvest management of horticultural cropsAntonio Ju?rez-Maldonado, Yolanda Gonz?lez-Garc?a & Fabi?n P?rez-Labrada. In: Engineered Nanoparticles in Agriculture: From Laboratory to Field. Eds. Vasileios Fotopoulos & Gholamreza Gohari.ACCESS to buy the book