LPLK10348U Quality and Postharvest Biology of Plant Products
MSc Programme in Agriculture
Modern plant production has changed from local production to
global production chains. The organisation of production chains
necessitates knowledge of product quality and postharvest biology
to maintain high value produce. This course will give a fundamental
understanding of many aspects of postharvest biology, and internal
and external factors determining quality and postharvest
performance.
The content of the course is postharvest biology, especially
physiological and biochemical processes determining quality and
longevity of plant products, postharvest technology, handling and
transportation, storage, physiological disorders during storage as
well as postharvest diseases caused by bacteria and fungi,
maturation and maturity indices, postharvest physiology of flowers,
distribution of ornamentals, evaluation of quality, quality
assessment, consumer preferences and behaviour.
Another focus of the course are postharvest diseases caused by
bacteria and fungi and how these relates to changes in physiology
and biochemistry of harvested products during handling, storage and
distribution will be addressed. The important role of mycotoxins
for plant product quality will also be addressed.
The course is structured as follows:
- Introductory part
- Factors determining quality and postharvest perfomance
- Postharvest physiology and biochemistry
- Plant pathology: Biology of postharvest diseases and the risk of
mycotoxin production
- Study in groups and conduction of several
exercises
The aim of the course is to give basic knowledge about modern
production chains and postharvest biology of plants. Focus is on
understanding of physiology, biochemistry and pathology of plant
products in relation to quality, postharvest handling and storage.
The importance of genetic material and preharvest factors, as well
as environmental conditions and handling during distribution and
storage for quality, postharvest diseases and shelf life of plant
produce will be discussed.
The course fits well in the curriculum of Horticultural Science,
Agricultural Science, Food Science. Students of Agricultural
Development and Biology will find it relevant as well.
After completing the course the students should be able to:
Knowledge
- demonstrate basic knowledge on physiology, pathology,
biochemistry and molecular biology of plant products during the
postharvest period
- understand external and internal factors, which are influencing
quality
- reflect about the relevance of modern production chain
management, i.e. from place of production to the place of
consumption.
- understand the underlying physiology and biochemistry of plant
products during ripening
Skills
- apply and analyse methods of postharvest technology and
postharvest disease control
- diagnose and analyse postharvest diseases in relation to the
underlying biology, and assess how they affect quality of plant
products
- explain the underlying physiology, biochemistry and pathological
aspects which can lead to postharvest diseases of plant products
during ripening, harvesting, storage and distribution
- analyse the risk of mycotoxin production as result of attack by
postharvest diseases
- discuss quality in relation to values of consumers, distributors
and producers
Competences
- cooperate with fellow students about the carrying out and
reporting of postharvest experiments and diagnosis practicals
- evaluate the result of the exercises in relation to the aquired
knowledge in postharvest biology and in relation to scientific
literature
- work effectively in a group with a common project
Scientific articles and review articles from journals and other actual publications, to be decided at the beginning of the course.
- Category
- Hours
- Exam
- 2
- Excursions
- 20
- Lectures
- 20
- Practical exercises
- 68
- Preparation
- 50
- Project work
- 40
- Theory exercises
- 6
- Total
- 206
As
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- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Oral examination---
- Exam registration requirements
3 exercise reports have to be accepted
- Aid
- Without aids
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
Several internal examiners
- Re-exam
If 10 or fewer register for the reexamination the examination form will be oral.
There can not be dispensated for the requirement of laboratory exercises, and students who do not fulfil the requirement has to follow the course the following study year.
Criteria for exam assesment
The assessment will be based on the learning outcome.
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- LPLK10348U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
- 1 block
- Placement
- Block 1
- Schedule
- C
- Course capacity
- 30
- Continuing and further education
- Study board
- Study Board of Natural Resources and Environment
Contracting department
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Course responsibles
- Henrik Vlk Lütken (3-787c7d50807c757e3e7b853e747b)
Lecturers
Renate Müller
Lisa Munk