PhD training in Reunion Island

With mango fruit as a study case, the PhD proposal aims to improve the understanding of fruit quality build-up from the raw material to the processed product (i.e., from the pre-harvest stage in the field to fruit storage and drying post-harvest stages). Main processes and factors involved in mango fruit quality build-up throughout the pre-/post-harvest continuum will be integrated within a unique modeling framework. The modeling framework will connect together i) agro-ecophysiological models of fruit growth, fruit ripening and changes in fruit biochemicals (sugars and acids) gathered into a virtual fruit model, and ii) an empirical product processing model relying the caracteristics of dried mangoes to those of fresh mangoes measured just before the drying process. Finaly, the modeling framework will be used to find management practices or growth and storage - ripening conditions that optimise quality criteria of interest for mango fruits, either for their consumption as a fresh product or for their drying.
 The PhD proposal is part of the research project Interfaces which deals with the interface between raw material production and processing.
 
 Tutor: Michel Génard (INRA-UR PSH)
 Supervision : Isabelle Grechi (Cirad-UPR HortSys)
 Co-supervision : Mathieu Léchaudel (Cirad-UMR Qualisud)
 
 Doctoral school : ED Agrosciences & Sciences de l’Université d’Avignon