Dr. Taghavi is an Assistant Professor at Virginia State University, College of Agriculture. Her research focus is to develop an integrated Postharvest Research Program (PRP) to extend the shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables. In her research program she tests and develops innovative technologies to maintain fresh fruit and vegetable quality during handling and storage and reduce waste.
Strawberries play an essential role in human nutrition and health, especially as a source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. They also have health-promoting compounds that lower the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. The nutritional value of strawberries varies greatly among cultivars. Traditional and molecular breeding techniques can be used to develop varieties with enhanced nutritional quality and improved flavor to meet consumer preferences. Climatic conditions, such as temperature and light intensity, and other preharvest factors, e.g., soil type, fertilization, irrigation, mulching, and other cultural practices, have a significant effect on strawberry fruit quality. Additionally, the extent of postharvest physical and physiological injury and potential fruit loss is affected by preharvest parameters. In this chapter, the effect of preharvest factors on fruit and nutritional quality of strawberry is discussed.
Part of the book: Strawberry