Postharvest decay in harvested fruit causes considerable economical losses. Fungicides are the primary means to control these losses. Public concern in food safety and environmental issues and the increase of pathogen resistant populations have enhanced the interest in developing alternative methods to fungicides to control postharvest fruit decay. During the last two decades a huge information and advances concerning the selection of antagonists, mode of action, different approaches to enhance biocontrol activity, formulation and production have been achieved, and some biofungicides are already in the market. It is likely that several more products will enter the market in the near future, as the result of the biological control research programs worldwide. Nonetheless, it is necessary to continue finding new potential microorganisms, better understanding the mode of action, and pathogen, antagonist and host interactions, to increase the potential of biocontrol helping to become a real alternative to synthetic postharvest fungicides. This article presents an overview of postharvest biological control approaches and explores new research possibilities to improve biocontrol activity.
Aims: To investigate the potential of Pantoea agglomerans to control the major post-harvest diseases on Golden Delicious apples. Methods and Results: In laboratory trials, a high level of control of Penicillium expansum, Botrytis cinerea and Rhizopus stolonifer was obtained with P. agglomerans. In semi-commercial trials at 1°C in air and a low oxygen atmosphere, the reduction of blue mould was 81% and 100%, respectively, and control of grey mould was achieved equally with P. agglomerans and imazalil. In trials at 1°C and seven atmosphere conditions, maximum reduction in decay was 80% obtained at 3% O 2 -6% CO 2 . The population of P. agglomerans on apples followed the same pattern under all three atmosphere conditions studied. Conclusions: Pantoea agglomerans could be used effectively on apples under a wide range of temperature and atmosphere conditions. Significance and Impact of the Study: Pantoea agglomerans can be used as a biocontrol agent on apples at 8 · 10 7 cfu ml -1, the same concentration as in pears. This will facilitate the application of this biological control agent by the growers in packing houses.
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