Augmentation of biocontrol agents with physical methods against postharvest diseases of fruits and vegetables (original) (raw)
Related papers
Biological Control of Postharvest Diseases of Fruits and Vegetables: An Emerging Technology*
Annual Review of Phytopathology, 1989
s Abstract Losses from postharvest fruit diseases range from 1 to 20 percent in the United States, depending on the commodity. The application of fungicides to fruits after harvest to reduce decay has been increasingly curtailed by the development of pathogen resistance to many key fungicides, the lack of replacement fungicides, negative public perception regarding the safety of pesticides and consequent restrictions on fungicide use. Biological control of postharvest diseases (BCPD) has emerged as an effective alternative. Because wound-invading necrotrophic pathogens are vulnerable to biocontrol, antagonists can be applied directly to the targeted area (fruit wounds), and a single application using existing delivery systems (drenches, line sprayers, on-line dips) can significantly reduce fruit decays. The pioneering biocontrol products BioSave and Aspire were registered by EPA in 1995 for control of postharvest rots of pome and citrus fruit, respectively, and are commercially available. The limitations of these biocontrol products can be addressed by enhancing biocontrol through manipulation of the environment, using mixtures of beneficial organisms, physiological and genetic enhancement of the biocontrol mechanisms, manipulation of formulations, and integration of biocontrol with other alternative methods that alone do not provide adequate protection but in combination with biocontrol provide additive or synergistic effects.
Exploitation of microbial antagonists for the control of postharvest diseases of fruits: a review
Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 2018
Fungal diseases result in significant losses of fruits and vegetables during handling, transportation and storage. At present, post-production fungal spoilage is predominantly controlled by using synthetic fungicides. Under the global climate change scenario and with the need for sustainable agriculture, biological control methods of fungal diseases, using antagonistic microorganisms, are emerging as ecofriendly alternatives to the use of fungicides. The potential of microbial antagonists, isolated from a diversity of natural habitats, for postharvest disease suppression has been investigated. Postharvest biocontrol systems involve tripartite interaction between microbial antagonists, the pathogen and the host, affected by environmental conditions. Several modes for fungistatic activities of microbial antagonists have been suggested, including competition for nutrients and space, mycoparasitism, secretion of antifungal antibiotics and volatile metabolites and induction of host resis...
Mycofumigation for the Biological Control of PostHarvest Diseases in Fruits and Vegetables: A Review
There are several causes of post-harvest losses in fruits and vegetables, and microbial infections are responsible for the greatest losses that occur during the transport, storage, and sale of these products. Chemical control is the most used method to control post-harvest diseases in fruits and vegetables by directly applying synthetic fungicides to the product to be consumed. However, the indiscriminate use of fungicides may be associated with serious toxicity problems in humans and environmental imbalance. Mycofumigation, which is the use of volatile antimicrobial organic compounds produced by fungi to inhibit microbial growth, has become a promising alternative for controlling phytopathogenic fungi associated with post-harvest diseases in fruits and vegetables. The technique has some advantages relative to traditional disease control methods, for example, it does not require direct contact between the antagonist and the plant product, the antimicrobial volatiles diffuse easily in closed environments, they do not leave residues on the plant product to be consumed, and most of the antimicrobial volatile mixtures exhibit bioactivity against a wide range of microorganisms, including many phytopathogens associated with post-harvest diseases. This review highlights mycofumigation as a method for controlling post-harvest diseases in fruits and vegetables, emphasizing the effects of volatile compounds on phytopathogenic fungi and their potential to be applied during the transport and storage of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Crop Protection, 2000
During the storage of harvested commodities, environmental parameters are quite stable. For this and other reasons, it is generally believed that biological control by means of microbial antagonists may have a greater potential for success when applied postharvest. However, one of the major obstacles to the development of postharvest biocontrol agents is that they are unable to control previously established infections, such as latent and quiescent infections and incipient infections occurring through wounds resulting from harvesting operations. Field application of biocontrol agents may enable early colonisation of fruit surfaces, thus protecting from these infections. Moreover, preharvest applications can be an appropriate strategy for fruits and vegetables subject to damage in postharvest handling. To be successful in preharvest applications, putative biocontrol agents must be able to tolerate low-nutrient availability, UV radiation, high temperature and dry conditions. Some reports of postharvest biological control accomplished by preharvest applications, include apples, avocados, sweet cherries, grapes, and strawberries. This paper provides a brief overview on particular aspects of preharvest application of biocontrol agents to reduce postharvest decay. Research areas relevant for the development of this strategy are also indicated.
This article provides a state-of-the-art review of fungicides that are commonly used before harvest in conventional agriculture to prolong the storage of fresh commodities, and of the alternatives to fungicides recently made available for plant protection. Findings: Considering the high percentage of postharvest loss of fruit due to pathogen spoilage and the frequent development of pathogen isolates that are resistant to one or more active ingredients, alternatives to synthetic fungicides are needed. This review compares the current practices in conventional agriculture that are used to control postharvest rot of fruit with the alternatives to synthetic fungicides that are now available. The review summarizes the different fungicides and the corresponding alternatives, such as natural compounds, decontaminating agents that are 'generally recognized as safe', and biological control agents that have been applied in smallscale and large-scale tests. For some cultivated crops, including strawberries, table grapes, and stone and pome fruits, we include the time and method of application of preharvest treatments that can be applied to preserve fruit quality during storage. Limitations/implications: Even considering the research efforts in the search for alternatives to fungicides, at present there are few natural compounds that are as effective as fungicides. However, according to integrated pest management, to overcome the drawbacks that can arise with the use of a single strategy, an integration of methods might provide additive or synergistic effects for disease control. Directions for future research: Further insight at the molecular level into the interactions between host plants and chemicals applied will help us to better understand the changes that occur in host plants following treatments, or the effects of the treatments on the pathogens. This new knowledge will optimize the treatment application to provide the greatest effects with the minimum number/ time/ concentration of treatments applied.
Biological control of postharvest diseases of fruits
Annual Review of Phytopathology, 2002
s Abstract Losses from postharvest fruit diseases range from 1 to 20 percent in the United States, depending on the commodity. The application of fungicides to fruits after harvest to reduce decay has been increasingly curtailed by the development of pathogen resistance to many key fungicides, the lack of replacement fungicides, negative public perception regarding the safety of pesticides and consequent restrictions on fungicide use. Biological control of postharvest diseases (BCPD) has emerged as an effective alternative. Because wound-invading necrotrophic pathogens are vulnerable to biocontrol, antagonists can be applied directly to the targeted area (fruit wounds), and a single application using existing delivery systems (drenches, line sprayers, on-line dips) can significantly reduce fruit decays. The pioneering biocontrol products BioSave and Aspire were registered by EPA in 1995 for control of postharvest rots of pome and citrus fruit, respectively, and are commercially available. The limitations of these biocontrol products can be addressed by enhancing biocontrol through manipulation of the environment, using mixtures of beneficial organisms, physiological and genetic enhancement of the biocontrol mechanisms, manipulation of formulations, and integration of biocontrol with other alternative methods that alone do not provide adequate protection but in combination with biocontrol provide additive or synergistic effects.
Role of biocontrol agents in management of post harvest diseases of fruits and vegetables
International journal of horticulture and food science, 2022
In recent years, there has been considerable interest in the use of antagonistic microorganisms for the control of postharvest diseases. Such organisms can be isolated from a variety of sources including fermented food products, the surfaces of leaves, fruit and vegetables. Post-harvest diseases need to be controlled to maintain the quality and abundance of fruits and vegetables produced by growers around the world. Post-harvest decay of fruits and vegetables accounts for significant level of post-harvest losses. It is estimated that about 20-25 percent of the harvested fruits and vegetables are decayed by pathogens even in developed countries. A mechanism of action may be explained as the strategy used by a beneficial microorganism against a disease-causing pathogen. Mechanism of this biological control based on ecological interactions, such as competition for space and nutrients, myco parasitism, antibiosis and induction of plant defenses. Microbial antagonists are applied either before or after harvest, but postharvest applications are more effective than pre harvest applications. Biological control is less costly and cheaper than any other methods. They do not cause toxicity to the plants. The present review focuses on post-harvest food losses, post-harvest diseases and methods to control these diseases. In this review various bio-control agents, their characteristics, mode of action and importance in agriculture have been emphasized. Application of microbial antagonistic is a better, practical and useful method for controlling postharvest diseases of fruits and vegetables. Techniques involved in the bio control practices generally include introduction, augmentation and conservation. Microbial cultures are applied either as postharvest sprays or as dip in antagonistic solution. They multiply easily in the soil and leave no residual problem, easy to manufacture and harmless to human beings and animals. These agents not only control the disease but also enhance the root and plant growth by way of encouraging the beneficial soil micro flora and increases crop yield. Biocontrol agents are very easy to handle and apply to the target and can be combined with bio-fertilizers.
Biocontrol Agents against Post Harvest Decay in Fruits and Vegetables: A Review
International Journal of Plant & Soil Science
Post harvest losses are the major threats in the supply chain between harvest and consumption which contribute 44% of the total loss of fruits and vegetables. Among the various causes, post harvest diseases are major decay of fruits and vegetables accounting for 20-25% losses. The causative fungus belonging to both biotrophic and necrotrophic nature belongs to the genera of Aspergillus, Penicillium, Botrytis, etc. Management of post harvest diseases by conventional chemicals is not preferred due to residual effects and toxicity. Considering the global demand and consumer awareness about the health effects of pesticides, biocontrol agents are getting attention in recent times for post harvest disease management. BCAs like Trichoderma, Bacillus and Pseudomonas have been explored for successful management of post harvest diseases of citrus, strawberry, tomato, etc. The possible mode actions of the BCAs are competition for nutrients and space, production of antimicrobial compounds, hydr...
Challenges in Postharvest Management of Fungal Diseases in Fruits and Vegetables: A Review
South Asian Journal of Food Technology and Environment
After the fruits and vegetables are harvested, the value of fruits and vegetables is added in successive stages and remain in living phase. Losses due to postharvest disease may occur at any time during postharvest handling. The aim of postharvest management of diseases is to maximise the quality and storage value. The postharvest products are living and respiring materials, and from field to eating, several factors influence quality and there are many fungal and bacterial pathogens which affect them. The quality of these delicate products peaks at harvest when they are green and crisp, but during handling and storage their quality attributes may be deteriorated, resulting in products of inferior quality when they reach the consumers. Important genera of anamorphic postharvest pathogens include Penicillium, Aspergillus, Geotrichum, Botrytis, Fusarium, Alternaria, Colletotrichum, Dothiorella, Lasiodiplodia and Phomopsis. Some of these fungi also form ascomycete sexual stages. There should be integrated approaches to management the postharvest diseases to reduce the qualitative and quantitative loss of vegetables and fruits as fresh and during storage.