Control of Rots and Spoilage of Agricultural Products: A Review

Abstract

The most important losses in agricultural production which involve the greatest costs on the farm economy occur postharvest. It is estimated that worldwide between 10 and 40% losses of agricultural produce occur postharvest. Losses are more severe in developing than developed nations of the world. Several species of fungi and in some cases bacteria participate in postharvest deterioration and rots of tubers and agro- produce. These include species of Aspergillus, Fusarium, Colletotrichum, Macrophomina, Penicillium and Rhizopus amongst several others. In a bid to control these storage diseases several control techniques including physical, biological, and chemical and in recent times plant-based pesticides are employed. Chemical control has been identified as the most popular and most effective means of controlling plant diseases. However, it is being de-emphasized due largely to mammalian toxicity occasioned by chemical residues in crops. This in addition to many other demerits on ecological health and build-up of pathogens’ resistance to some of the most effective fungicides have prompted search for alternatives. Recently in plant pathology many tropical plants are being screened for fungitoxic properties. This review presents highlights of the different control techniques for control of myco- induced storage rots of tubers and agricultural products in the tropics.

Application of Rice Straw Inhibits Clubroot Disease by Regulating the Microbial Community in Soil

“…As a plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), Rhodopseudomonas palustris in Rhodopseudomonas has been studied frequently; it can utilize a variety of substances as carbon and energy sources owing to its surprising metabolic versatility, suggesting that R. palustris could be used as a beneficial inoculant in agriculture [31]. Among the affected fungi, studies have found that Penicillium and Colletotrichum participate in the postharvest deterioration and rotting of tubers [32]. PGPR is a biocompatible approach involving inoculation, which can be used to decrease negative environmental impacts, especially in soils with continued use of chemical fertilizers.…”

Inactivation of Diutina catenulata isolated from Longan fruit using atmospheric pressure cold plasma DBD in argon, air, and argon-air mixture

“…However, the in uence of harmful bacteria on food is considered the most serious because they spoil food and cause health effects on consumers. Globally, postharvest losses of agricultural products caused by microorganisms are estimated to range from 10 to 40% (Deshi et al, 2014;Gustavsson et al, 2011;Makavana et al, 2018;Sriram et al, 2023;Taye et al, 2023). Additionally, foodborne illnesses are prevalent around the world.…”