Postharvest Physiological Disorders of Banana Fruit

Banana is one of the leading crops in world fruit production and world trade. It is grown globally in subtropical and tropical regions, and can be served for fresh consumption or used as a staple food in many countries. Postharvest physiological disorders are a major threat to the banana fruit industry and can cause significant economic losses worldwide. Such disorders include finger drop, senescent spotting, and chilling injury. These are common disorders of banana which are associated with more than one factor, such as environmental conditions in conjunction with genetic factors, but some disorders mainly occur due to only one factor. There is a need, therefore, to understand the basic causes behind a particular disorder and how it can be overcome with appropriate management practices. This review not only describes the causes of such postharvest physiological disorders of banana, but also discusses the biochemical processes involved in their development. Practical management methods that can be used to prevent the disorders and to retain fruit quality for high value markets are presented.