Harvesting and storage.

Abstract

This chapter on longan and litchi (Litchi chinensis) describes the following: fruit morphology; fruit respiration and ethylene production; aril composition; pericarp structure and composition; postharvest disorders (pericarp browning, chilling injury and aril breakdown); fruit maturity indices; harvesting, grading and packing; postharvest treatments (sulfur fumigation of fruits, acid treatments for retaining litchi pericarp colour, temperature management, cold storage, reduction of water loss, controlled and modified atmospheres, and disinfestation); and transport and marketing. Harvesting and storage of longan and litchi fruits in Australia are largely covered.