Postharvest Biology and Technology of Horticulture Crops Research Group1Introduction

1.Introduction

Principal Investigator: Professor Jingping Rao


Professor of the College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University. Main research focuses on postharvest physiology, molecular mechanisms of ripening and senescence, storage methods, and commercial processing technology of fruits.


Concurrent Academic Appointment


The executive director of the persimmon branch of the Chinese Horticultural Society, the executive director of the National Agriculture Products Storage and Preservation Industry, the executive director of the Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Horticulture, and the distinguished expert of Shaanxi Province Agricultural Exporters.


2.Main Research Fields & Contents


1)Molecular Mechanisms of Ripening, Senescence, and Texture Softening in Fruits and Vegetables

2)Physiology, Biochemistry, and Ultrastructural Changes of Fruits and Vegetables during Ripening and Senescence

3)Physiological Diseases and Disease Control of Postharvest Fruits and Vegetables

4)Infectious Diseases and Disease Control of Postharvest Fruits and Vegetables

5)Commercial Processing Technology of Fruits and Vegetables

6)New Technology of Dtorage and Fresh-keeping of Horticultural Products


3. Major Projects Undertaken


National Natural Science Foundation of China


National Science and Technology Support Program from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China

Key Research and Development Program of China (the Thirteenth Five-year Plan)

Scientists Foundation of the National Apple Industry System

China Postdoctoral Science Funding

Scientific and Technological Innovation Project from the Government of Shaanxi Province

Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province

Major Scientific and Technological Project from the Government of Shaanxi Province

Fruit Industry Project from the Government of Shaanxi Province


4. Academic Achievements


Our group has studied the ripening and softening mechanisms at physiological and molecular levels in the fruits of persimmon, kiwifruit, apple, etc. The causes of major physiological and infectious diseases have been identified, and disease control methods have been established. New technology for commercial processing, storage, and fresh-keeping of fruits and vegetables has been developed. We have published more than 300 academic papers, including more than 30 SCI papers, in journals such as Frontiers in Plant Science, Food Chemistry, Postharvest Biology and Technology, and so on. Three papers were published in international journals, which are indexed by EI. We have been awarded three national patents.



5.Team Members


Research group includes two professors, three associate professors, one young lecturer, and some postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students.


Dr. Xiaolin Ren, Professor of the College of Horticulture and Expert on the Storage and Postharvest Treatment of Apple Industry Systems in the China Agriculture Research System,

Research Description: Postharvest physiology and storage of horticultural crops.



Dr. Ling He, Associate Professor of the College of Horticulture and Expert of the “Shaanxi Province Cherry Industry Technology System,”

Research Description: Postharvest physiology and storage of horticultural crops .


Dr. Huiling Zhou, Associate Professor at the College of Horticulture,

Research Description: Ripening and senescence physiology of postharvest fruit;storage methods;postharvest diseases; and control.



Dr. Cuihua Liu, Associate Professor at the College of Horticulture,

Research Description: Formation mechanisms of aromas in horticultural crops during development and ripening.


Dr. Yuduan Ding, Associate Professor in theCollege of Horticulture.

Research Description: Postharvest Biology and Technology.


Dr. Qinggang Zhu, Associate Professor inthe College of Horticulture.

Research Description: Fruit Quality Biology; Postharvest Biology and Technology.


Dr. YanrongLv, Lecturer at the College of Horticulture,

Research Description: Storage and phytochemical regulation mechanisms of postharvest fruit.