Pre- and postharvest management of fruit quality.

This chapter discusses the pre- and postharvest management of blueberry (Vaccinium sp.) fruit quality. The attributes (fruit size, weight loss, aroma, scar, colour, firmness, seediness, soluble solids, titratable acidity, ratio of soluble solids to titratable acids, pH, antioxidant capacity, and fruit decay) and factors (cultivar, climate, nutrition, plant water status, canopy management, and harvesting method) affecting fruit quality are defined, as well as the factors that influence the postharvest life of the fruit and the approaches used (cooling, controlled and modified atmosphere storage, and control of postharvest spoilage by chemical and physical means) to extend fruit quality.