Postharvest losses of fruit and vegetables are very high and sometimes reach 50% and more in some developing countries due to pathological and physiological deterioration. This loss is due to inappropriate handling and lack of right methods and means to prevent diseases. Fruits and vegetables are susceptible to severe losses caused by several plant pathogenic fungi including Botrytis cinerea, Alternaria alternata, Penicillium italicum, P. digitatum, P. expansum, Monilia fructicola, M. laxa, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Rhizopus stolonifer, Botryiodiplodia theobromae etc., after harvest.
Chemical fungicides are the primary means to control such diseases. However, several constrains have limited their use including fungicide resistance, market pressure regarding residues and concerns of environmental and human health. In this context, safer alternative means to control postharvest diseases of fruits and vegetables need to be developed. Several studies have documented the strong antimicrobial activity of alternative approaches including biological control using antagonistic microorganisms, physical methods such as low temperatures, modified and controlled atmospheres, heat, and irradiation, and generally regarded as safe (GRAS) substances such as salts, sanitizers, plant extracts, and essential oils. Many efforts have been made to understand their mode of action in order to improve their use and efficiency, especially for large-scale field use. However, various other approaches still need to be explored.
The purpose of this Research Topic is to highlight current research on pre- and postharvest diseases of fruit and vegetables. We welcome original research articles and reviews on different methods used to manage postharvest disease, with a focus on:
• Survey, isolation and identification of various postharvest diseases of fruit and vegetables
• Development of alternative control means to manage postharvest diseases of fruit and vegetable;
• Using preharvest treatments to control postharvest diseases of fruit and vegetables;
• Using nano-biotechnological tools to elucidate the mechanism of action (biochemical and transcriptome approaches);
• Investigating the natural host resistance against postharvest diseases of fruit and vegetable.
Postharvest losses of fruit and vegetables are very high and sometimes reach 50% and more in some developing countries due to pathological and physiological deterioration. This loss is due to inappropriate handling and lack of right methods and means to prevent diseases. Fruits and vegetables are susceptible to severe losses caused by several plant pathogenic fungi including Botrytis cinerea, Alternaria alternata, Penicillium italicum, P. digitatum, P. expansum, Monilia fructicola, M. laxa, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Rhizopus stolonifer, Botryiodiplodia theobromae etc., after harvest.
Chemical fungicides are the primary means to control such diseases. However, several constrains have limited their use including fungicide resistance, market pressure regarding residues and concerns of environmental and human health. In this context, safer alternative means to control postharvest diseases of fruits and vegetables need to be developed. Several studies have documented the strong antimicrobial activity of alternative approaches including biological control using antagonistic microorganisms, physical methods such as low temperatures, modified and controlled atmospheres, heat, and irradiation, and generally regarded as safe (GRAS) substances such as salts, sanitizers, plant extracts, and essential oils. Many efforts have been made to understand their mode of action in order to improve their use and efficiency, especially for large-scale field use. However, various other approaches still need to be explored.
The purpose of this Research Topic is to highlight current research on pre- and postharvest diseases of fruit and vegetables. We welcome original research articles and reviews on different methods used to manage postharvest disease, with a focus on:
• Survey, isolation and identification of various postharvest diseases of fruit and vegetables
• Development of alternative control means to manage postharvest diseases of fruit and vegetable;
• Using preharvest treatments to control postharvest diseases of fruit and vegetables;
• Using nano-biotechnological tools to elucidate the mechanism of action (biochemical and transcriptome approaches);
• Investigating the natural host resistance against postharvest diseases of fruit and vegetable.
