Calcium-related Post-harvest Physiological Disorders of Fruits and Vegetables in Eswatini: A Review

Calcium (Ca2+) related physiological disorders of fruits and vegetables are abnormalities of fruits and vegetables which are not caused by infectious diseases, insects, nematodes or animals. Fruit and vegetable abnormalities occur due to environmental stress, nutritional deficiencies or excess on the plant. In this study, information was sought through informal surveys, review of literature and interviews with key post-harvest handling and storage participants and direct observation of fruits and vegetables in the markets. Calcium related post-harvest physiological disorders of fruits and vegetables encountered in this study included: cavity-spot, black end and cork, bronzing, skin freckles, fruit and crown, fasciation, soft-nose/spongy-tissue, granulation, low temperature breakdown/flesh browning, water-core, senescent-breakdown, superficial-scald, bitter pit, leaf tip-burn, golden specks and blossom-end rot. Post-harvest physiological disorders result in direct economic losses and pose a threat to food and nutritional security. Various ways of alleviating particular Ca2+ related post-harvest related physiological disorders are suggested e.g. addition of Ca2+ containing fertilisers and Ca2+ sprays.