My position responsibilities are in postharvest research (80%) and instruction (20%).
My research is centered on the physiology and biochemistry of fruit ripening and softening, with emphasis on cell wall
and membrane catabolism as they influence fruit firmness. Related interests have focused on the apoplastic conditions of fruit cell walls (pH, ionic composition) and how these change in response to wounding and during ripening. I am also interested in fruit-ripening disorders, for example the placental-tissue watersoaking in watermelon fruit
and other cucurbits exposed to exogenous ethylene. My recent research activities also include the physiology and pathology of
fresh-cut tropical fruits, including how fresh-cut processing alters gene
expression. As we have shown in recent publications, these value-added
commodities exhibit physiological/biochemical traits quite different from those
of the intact commodities. We also are involved in research using ethylene antagonists, particularly 1-methylcyclopropene, and how these can be beneficially used with both ethylene-producing climacteric fruits and ethylene-sensitive non-climacteric commodities.
I also serve as instructor for HOS 6331 (Postharvest Biology), a graduate-level course addressing the senescence biology of fruit, ornamental (floral), and vegetative horticultural commodities. The course offers a literature-oriented format, emphasizing contemporary ideas and research in the cellular processes, including programmed cell death, contributing to the deterioration and loss of harvested horticultural crops. The primary goals include training students in the critical review and analysis of current postharvest literature and practices, and in the application of physiological, biochemical, and molecular principles in solving both basic and applied problems in postharvest science.
Click here to go to the class webpage.
General information about other courses taught in the Horticultural Sciences Department can be found in the graduate catalog here.
My postharvest program is always open to receiving applications from
competitive graduate students. Assistantships are available based on GRE
scores, GPAs, and letters of recommendation. Please feel free to contact me or any of my students if you have questions about the program or the research that is currently underway.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Dr. Don Huber
Horticultural Sciences Department
1213 Fifield Hall
PO Box 110690
Gainesville FL 32611-0690
Phone: (352)392-1928 x217 voice
Phone: (352)392-6479 fax
email: DJH@mail.ifas.ufl.edu
