I. Biochemistry and Physiology of Senescence. - 1. The General Biology of Plant Senescence and the Role of Nucleic Acids in Protein Turnover in the Control of Senescence Processes which are Genetically Programmed. - 2. Control of Ribonucleic Acid and Enzyme Synthesis During Fruit Ripening. - 3. Respiration and Energy Metabolism in Senescing Plant Tissues. - 4. Enzyme Activities and Post-Harvest Change. - 5. Plant Membrane Lipids: Changes and Alterations During Aging and Senescence. - 6. Hormonal Regulation of Senescence Ageing Fading and Ripening. - II. Characteristics of Senescence in Special Crops. - 7. Post Harvest Physiology of Seeds as Related to Quality and Germinability. - 8. Physiology and Storage of Bulbs: Concepts and Nature of Dormancy in Bulbs. - 9. The Formation of Enzymatic Products in the Fruits during Growth and Storage. - III. Pathological Aspects Post-Harvest. - 10. Host-Pathogen Interactions in Postharvest Diseases. - 11. Control of Postharvest Diseases with Antimicrobial Agents. - 12. Hydroxyproline Rich Glycoproteins in the Cell Wall of Diseased Plants as a Defense Mechanism. - 13. Stress Metabolites. - 14. Mycotoxins as a Deteriorating Factor in Stored Crops. - IV. Manipulation of the Pre- and Post-Harvest Environment to Influence Quality. - 15. Hormonal and Chemical Preharvest Treatments which Influence Postharvest Quality Maturity and Storeability of Fruit. - 16. Effect of Post Harvest Treatments of Growth and Bioregulators on Quality and Longevity of Fruits and Vegetables. - 17. Manipulation of the Postharvest Atmosphere for Preservation of Food Crops. - 18. Metabolism Heat Transfer and Water Loss under Hypobaric Conditions. - 19. Maintaining Nutritional and Processing Quality in Grain Crops During Handling Storage and Transportation. - 20. NewPost-Harvest Treatments of Horticultural Produce and Developments to Maintain Quality and to Prevent Damage in Western Europe with Special Reference to the Netherlands. - 21. Postharvest Quality Maintenance of Fruits and Vegetables in Developing Countries. - 22. Instrumental Techniques for Measuring Quality of Agricultural Crops. - V. Post-Harvest Losses in the Developing World: Economic Aspects. - 23. Post Harvest Losses in Perishable Foods of the Developing World. - 24. Solving Third World Food Problems: The Role of Post-Harvest Planning. - 25. Utilization of Agricultural Wastes: Some Global Consideration. - VI. Participants. - VII. Index. Language: English