POSTHARVEST HANDLING

Established leafy vegetable forced-air cooling method. Promoted vacuum-cooling technology to extend the shelf life of leafy vegetables, regulate production and sales, and enhance the precooling efficiency of vegetables such as lettuce for export, improving quality and competitiveness. Developed modified atmosphere storage technology for non-heading leafy vegetables to prolong refrigerated shelf life.

Improved postharvest handling techniques for mangoes, pineapples, papayas, Matou wendan, and Matou hongyu fruit include preharvest health‐management to enhance fruit quality, hot‐water treatments and optimized storage temperatures to reduce decay and improve arrival condition. A steam‐sterilization machine for pineapple stem wounds was developed and patented to prevent mold during export. We established a maturity and quality indices for papaya, alongside nondestructive flesh‐color assessment technologies and evaluation of ideal storage and packaging conditions. We also developed optimal harvest timing and long‐term storage techniques for Matou wendan and Matou hongyu to minimize weight loss and stabilize quality. In floriculture, we created sea and air-freight handling protocols for Oncidium orchids, Anthuriums, and Eustoma destined for Japan, reducing transport costs while ensuring excellent postarrival quality and vase life, and formulated a postharvest preservative that is provided free for 8 million anthurium stems each year.