Elicitation of Fruit Fungi Infection and Its Protective Response to Improve the Postharvest Quality of Fruits

Abstract

Fruit diseases brought on by fungus infestation leads to postharvest losses of fresh fruit. Approximately 30% of harvested fruits do not reach consumers’ plates due to postharvest losses. Fungal pathogens play a substantial part in those losses, as they cause the majority of fruit rots and consumer complaints. Understanding fungal pathogenic processes and control measures is crucial for developing disease prevention and treatment strategies. In this review, we covered the presented pathogen entry, environmental conditions for pathogenesis, fruit’s response to pathogen attack, molecular mechanisms by which fungi infect fruits in the postharvest phase, production of mycotoxin, virulence factors, fungal genes involved in pathogenesis, and recent strategies for protecting fruit from fungal attack. Then, in order to investigate new avenues for ensuring fruit production, existing fungal management strategies were then assessed based on their mechanisms for altering the infection process. The goal of this review is to bridge the knowledge gap between the mechanisms of fungal disease progression and numerous disease control strategies being developed for fruit farming.

Identification of bioactive compounds of Bacillus velezensis HNA3 that contribute to its dual effects as plant growth promoter and biocontrol against post-harvested fungi

“…S2 to S4). Fruits naturally contain a high percentage of moisture that makes them more susceptible to post-harvest rot by pathogenic fungi ( 6 , 35 ). Most pathogenic fungi identified in this study have the capacity to produce mycotoxins, which pose a significant risk of causing serious diseases in both humans and animals ( 36 – 40 ).…”

“…Furthermore, it is crucial to note that post-harvest losses of fruits and vegetables globally approach approximately 35%. This staggering statistic underscores the urgency for researchers to focus their efforts on identifying safe, readily available, and efficient biocontrol agents to mitigate these losses ( 6 ). Regular utilization of chemical fungicides contributes to the development of resistance in harmful fungi, rendering their control increasingly challenging ( 41 ).…”

“…Nevertheless, their vulnerability to fungal infections post-harvest is notable, contributing to post-harvest losses exceeding one-third of the overall yield in fruit crops ( 5 ). Among the most widely recognized fungi that attack fruits and vegetables during and after harvest are Penicillium , Alternaria , Botrytis , Geotrichum , Fusarium , Monilinia , Cladosporium , and others ( 6 ).…”

Signaling of Plant Defense Mediated by Receptor-like Kinases, Receptor-like Cytoplasmic Protein Kinases and MAPKs Triggered by Fungal Chitin in Horticultural Crops

“…Plants have constructed complicated defense systems that allow them to detect pathogens and initiate a series of reactions that stop or limit pathogen attacks. Fruits have limited defense mechanisms, which vary depending on their maturity stage [5,22]. As fruits mature, they undergo the highly complex and ordered processes of ripening and senes- (a) After exposure to chitin oligomers, the RLKs are activated by the union of chitin oligomers on their extracellular side and they become phosphorylated and activate the influx of calcium and the formation of reactive oxygen species.…”

“…Plants have constructed complicated defense systems that allow them to detect pathogens and initiate a series of reactions that stop or limit pathogen attacks. Fruits have limited defense mechanisms, which vary depending on their maturity stage [5,22]. As fruits mature, they undergo the highly complex and ordered processes of ripening and senescence, which involve physiological and biochemical reactions that shape the fruit quality.…”