The apple is a fruit with a medium water content, but a low transpiration coefficient, therefore, losses during harvest, packaging and transport are minimal. However, the practices carried out during its post-harvest handling have important areas of opportunity to guarantee its arrival in better conditions to the final consumer. The apple has a very thin …
Sodium (Na) is an abundant element in the natural environment and, like other elements that belong to the same group, it is not found in an elemental state because it reacts quickly with non-metals. Deficiency Sodium (Na) in addition to being a detrimental element for the soil structure, due to the dispersing effect of its …
Generally, the operations of each packing plant differ according to the processes involved in each type of product, but they all tend to follow a basic line of techniques that can be summarized in three main sections: selection or classification, washing, disinfection, and Postharvest treatments. The FAO defines “Postharvest” as the moment in which the …
Nematodes are tiny worm-like critters that live in the soil. Most of these organisms do not represent any threat to agriculture, since they feed on fungi, bacteria and other organisms. However, there are some that do represent a risk for vegetable production because they feed on their roots. Problems caused by nematodes. Nematodes manage to …
Calcium is an element that is absorbed in the form of divalent Calcium cation (Ca2+) and is abundant in the soil, however, at certain stages of crop development, plants may express symptoms of deficiency of said element. Calcium is absorbed through the tissue of “tender” roots. This is one of the main reasons for calcium …
The pineapple fruit is harvested when it reaches firmness and ripeness. Pineapples do not improve their eating quality after harvest. The sugar content does not increase after harvest. Therefore, the fruit must be picked at the optimal stage of ripeness for the intended market. Quality indices of pineapple Uniform size and shape Firmness No deterioration …
Chlorine (Cl) is an essential element for plants, but it is required in very small quantities. Depending on the culture and its phonological stage, the Chlorine content in the tissue will be variable. Chlorine (Cl) toxicity manifests itself with burns on the margins of the leaves, premature yellowing, bronzing, even leaf drop. Among the most …
Humic Acids. Are complex organic molecules formed by the decomposition of organic matter. These directly influence the fertility of the soil, while contributing significantly to its stability, influencing the absorption of nutrients and, as a direct consequence, the exceptional growth of the plant. Fulvic acids. They are molecules of low molecular weight, extremely complex, soluble …
Sodic saline soils It is important to differentiate between saline and sodic soils. Saline soils are those that contain significant amounts of salts more soluble than gypsum, which interferes with the growth of most sensitive crops and plants. Salinity is measured by Electrical Conductivity (EC). In contrast, sodium soils originate when the monovalent sodium ion …
Electrical conductivity is the most extended and widely used parameter in salinity estimation. It is based on the speed with which the electric current passes through a salt solution, which is proportional to the concentration of salts in solution. Until a few years ago it was expressed in mmhos/cm. It is currently expressed in dS/m …
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