Postharvest storability of fruit and vegetables is heavily affected by fungal decays. Some pathogens are also responsible for the production of toxic metabolites (i.e. mycotoxins). Strategies of decay control often focused on single intervention technology (e.g., genetic, physical, chemical or biological means). Little attention has been paid to the integration of various available technologies. Despite of the risks and restrictions of the use of synthetic fungicides, chemical substances are still the most widely-known and used. In recent years, the search for safer alternatives has produced a large number of candidate biocontrol agents displaying antagonistic activity against various postharvest pathogens of several fruit crops. The most promising biocontrol agents (yeasts, yeast-like fungi and bacteria) have been studied for their antagonistic activity, physiological and biochemical aspects and different mechanisms of action. Unfortunately, when applied alone under commercial conditions, biocontrol agents rarely yield satisfactory results and are unlikely to completely replace applications of synthetic fungicides without new strategies aimed at enhancing and stabilizing their efficacy. It has been shown that integrated approaches involving combined applications of antagonists with alternative control means can provide disease control rates comparable or higher than those obtained with synthetic fungicides without negative risks due to the extensive use of chemicals. Integrated strategies improve efficacy of biocontrol agents and/or stabilize variability in their performance with additive or synergistic effects. The potential of integrated approaches is briefly discussed along with future prospects for a more effective and safer management of postharvest fungal pathogens.

Innovative approaches for integrated management of postharvest diseases

LIMA, Giuseppe;DE CURTIS, Filippo;
2006-01-01

Abstract

Postharvest storability of fruit and vegetables is heavily affected by fungal decays. Some pathogens are also responsible for the production of toxic metabolites (i.e. mycotoxins). Strategies of decay control often focused on single intervention technology (e.g., genetic, physical, chemical or biological means). Little attention has been paid to the integration of various available technologies. Despite of the risks and restrictions of the use of synthetic fungicides, chemical substances are still the most widely-known and used. In recent years, the search for safer alternatives has produced a large number of candidate biocontrol agents displaying antagonistic activity against various postharvest pathogens of several fruit crops. The most promising biocontrol agents (yeasts, yeast-like fungi and bacteria) have been studied for their antagonistic activity, physiological and biochemical aspects and different mechanisms of action. Unfortunately, when applied alone under commercial conditions, biocontrol agents rarely yield satisfactory results and are unlikely to completely replace applications of synthetic fungicides without new strategies aimed at enhancing and stabilizing their efficacy. It has been shown that integrated approaches involving combined applications of antagonists with alternative control means can provide disease control rates comparable or higher than those obtained with synthetic fungicides without negative risks due to the extensive use of chemicals. Integrated strategies improve efficacy of biocontrol agents and/or stabilize variability in their performance with additive or synergistic effects. The potential of integrated approaches is briefly discussed along with future prospects for a more effective and safer management of postharvest fungal pathogens.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11695/8576
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