Latent postharvest pathogens of pome fruit and their management: from single measures to a systems intervention approach

Abstract

Postharvest diseases of pome fruit are typically caused by a wide diversity of fungal pathogens, and the list of confirmed causal agents is still growing. There is considerable knowledge on the epidemiology of wound pathogens, such as Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium expansum. In contrast, knowledge on the occurrence of the different postharvest diseases caused after latent (quiescent) infections during long-term storage and their epidemiology is limited. Well-known pathogens causing postharvest losses after latent infections are Neofabraea spp. and Colletotrichum spp., but in many cases the causal agents that occur in a specific region remain unknown and their control relies on the routine use of fungicide applications. However, due to the growing concern over the use of synthetic fungicides, alternative control measures are highly desired. Over the past years the use of physical treatments, natural compounds, and biocontrol agents have been investigated as alternatives. However, no single method has emerged that can robustly and reliably control postharvest diseases of pome fruit in practice. In this review it is argued to approach latent postharvest diseases as complex problems that require multiple interventions at different stages of the disease process in a systems intervention approach for their control. Such approach requires a deep understanding of the epidemiology of the causal agents in the orchard, fruit defence mechanisms against pathogens, and the molecular biology of host-pathogen interactions in order to develop novel disease control methods in which the deployment of resistant cultivars can be a cornerstone.

Packham’s Triumph Pears (Pyrus communis L.) Post-Harvest Treatment during Cold Storage Based on Chitosan and Rue Essential Oil

“…The immense worldwide production of pears also brings significant losses, with farmers and producers as the main affected supply chain sectors. Pear shelf-life depends on several factors such as growing season climate, nutrition, environmental conditions, cultivar, and microbial attacks, causing losses in the pear industry ranging from 5% to 50% of production [ 2 , 3 ]. The primary post-harvest diseases in pear, such as blue mold, pink mold, grey mold, and black spot, are related mainly to fungi of the genus Mucor piriformis, Penicillium expansum, and Botrytis cinerea [ 4 ].…”

The Effect of Mechanical Vibrations During Transport under Model Conditions on the Shelf-Life, Quality and Physico-Chemical Parameters of four Apple Cultivars

“…Postharvest diseases of pome fruit result in substantial economic losses during storage worldwide every year [60]. In the study, the occurrence of fungal diseases, physiological disorders and visible physical damage of fruit flesh depended on cultivar and treatment.…”

Penicillium expansum: biology, omics, and management tools for a global postharvest pathogen causing blue mould of pome fruit

“…Although some postharvest pathogens can infect fruits directly, P. expansum does not as it requires wounds, often caused by stem punctures and severe bruises, that occur before, during, and after harvest. Infection also proceeds via natural openings like lenticels, open calyx/sinus, and stem pull areas (Errampalli, 2004; Rosenberger et al ., 2006; Wenneker and Thomma, 2020). The fungus produces conidia terminally in chains and primarily reproduces asexually (Figure 1b), although the genome contains two mating types suggestive of a sexual stage (Julca et al ., 2015).…”