| Research Staff |
Emeriti |
Uzi Afek, Ph.D.
Nehemia Aharoni, Ph.D.
Samir Droby, Ph.D.
Elazar Fallik, Ph.D.
Haya Friedman, Ph.D.
David Kenigsbuch, Ph.D.
Amnon Lers, Ph.D. (Head)
Amnon Lichter, Ph.D.
Susan Lurie, Ph.D.
Shimon Meir, Ph.D.
Edna Pesis, Ph.D.
Sonia Philosoph-Hadas,
Ph.D.
Ron Porat, Ph.D.
Dov Prusky, Ph.D.
Victor Rodov, Ph.D. |
Shimshon Ben Yehoshua,
Ph.D.
Eliahou Cohen, Ph.D.
Yoram Fuchs, Ph.D.
|
| Technical Staff |
Aharon Zion
Burd Shaul
Cohen Lea
Dvir Orit
Goldman Genady
Horev Batia
Kobiler Ilana
Marinansky-Ben Arie Rosa
Michaeli Michael
Nahum Tikva
Prosmushkin Fania
Rosenberger Ida
Salim Shoshana
Tzadka Tamar
Weiss Batia
Zaltzman Gina
|
Alkalai-Tuvia Sharon
Chalupowicz Daniel
Daus Avinoam
Feygenberg Oleg
Guzev Ludmila
Kaplunov Tania
Levi Ezri
Maurer Dalia
Orenstein Janeta
Perzelan (Peretz) Jacob
Raviv Yifat
Rot Ilona
Stav Dany
Vinokur Yacov
Weksler Asya
Zutahi Yohanan
|
| Graduate Students |
Abebie Bekele (PhD)
Danshin Anna (MSc)
Darmon Adi (MSc)
Ezra Ayelet (MSc)
Farber Inon (MSc)
Faure-Mlynski Mariela (PhD)
Gadiyeva Oxana (MSc)
Gerson Shiri (MSc)
Glick Alon (PhD)
Hadass Yoav (MSc)
Halaly Vita (MSc)
|
Hasdai Miri (PhD)
Hershkovitz Vera (MSc)
Kissenger Maalekuu (PhD)
Kramer-Haimovich Hilla (PhD)
Miyara Itay (PhD)
Moskovitch Oren (MSc)
Peleg Roy (MSc)
Rosenwasser Shilo (MSc)
Sagii Gal (MSc)
Servi Ilat (MSc)
Spitnitzkaya Rita (MSc)
|
Activities of the Department
The research activities of the Department cover topics related to the
postharvest life of fruits, vegetables and ornamentals. The applied
research projects are aimed at solving various problems that arise during
either the export or local marketing of fresh produce (fruits, vegetables,
culinary green herbs, cut flowers, potted plants, ornamental branches,
cuttings and bulbs) in order to preserve them in their best quality.
Special effort is now being devoted to finding and developing alternatives
to chemical methods for the control of postharvest pathogens; such alternatives
include the reinforcement of host resistance, biological control and
the application of physical treatments. Recently, the activities of
the Department have been expanded to include fresh cut commodities and
the maintenance of health promoting components in harvested produce.
In addition, a sensory laboratory has been set up to follow quality
changes during postharvest storage.
The basic research projects deal with physiological, pathological,
biochemical and molecular changes in horticultural commodities after
harvest. Topics include but are not confined to: the role of proteases
and RNAses in senescence of leafy vegetables, herbs and flower petals;
cellulases and abscission in bunch tomatoes, the molecular basis of
leaf and flower abscission, understanding the gravitropic response of
cut flowers and its inhibition, development of molecular markers for
resistance against pathogens, gene expression and its relation to resistance
of fruits to abiotic stresses such as low temperature and controlled
atmosphere, molecular manipulation of biological control organisms to
increase their effectiveness.
Research in the Department is also carried out in cooperation with
other units of the Institute, with other institutes of the Agricultural
Research Organization, and with growers, farmers’ organizations and
agriculture-related companies. Several members of the research staff
teach at other institutions, particularly at the Faculty of Agriculture
of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and participate in extension
work. A number of students do their masters and doctoral research with
researchers in the department.
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