Integrated water management and its significance prior to, during, and after harvesting of fresh horticultural produce.

Abstract

The integrated sequence of water management practices prior to harvesting, during harvesting, during postharvest handling, and in storage of fresh produce can be used for maintaining ideal quality of horticultural produce while practicing sustainable use of water. Optimal recirculation of water used during postharvest washing, precooling, and sanitation of fresh produce reduces waste of water while avoiding pollution that can happen when wastewater contaminated by chemicals normally applied during postharvest handling is discarded. However, research on optimal ways of linking water management at different postharvest stages and wastewater recirculation in postharvest handling of fresh produce is limited. This chapter reviews current sustainable and economic utilization of agricultural water toward, during and postharvesting of fresh fruit and vegetables. Hereon, accessible literature was analyzed to provide baseline for future prospects in water management during the production and postharvest handling of horticultural produce. The chapter provides recommendations for innovative future research aspects and is an ideal background for developing an efficient water saving legislature in the management of fresh produce postharvest quality in the industrial sector.