ARS | Publication request: Postharvest biocontrol: New concepts and applications

Submitted to: Biological Control
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: May 1, 2006
Publication Date: January 5, 2007
Citation: Wisniewski, M.E., Wilson, C.L., Droby, S., Chalutz, E., El Ghaouth, A., Stevens, C. 2007. Postharvest biocontrol: New concepts and applications. In: Vincent, C., Goettel, M.S., and Lazarovits, G., editors. Biological Control: A Global Perspective. Boca Raton, FL: CAB International. p. 262-273.

Technical Abstract: The past 25 years has seen tremendous growth in the science and practical application of biological control of postharvest diseases. The available literature has gone from one to two publications in the early 1980's to several hundred, if not thousands, by 2005. The number of labs that conduct research in this area has also changed from two to three located in the U.S. and Israel and to dozens located throughout the industrial and developing world. Several products have been made available. Truly, the small beginnings at the Appalachian Fruit Research Station (USDA-ARS) and the Volcani Center (ARO) blossomed into a worldwide effort. The use of available postharvest biocontrol products has been rather limited, given the potential market. While some of the reasons for the lack of success have been addressed in a "second generation" of products, a large measure of their future success will depend on market conditions. Importantly, new biological postharvest products must be adaptable and effective as stand alone products without the need for additional inputs, if they are to be competitive with synthetic fungicides. Postharvest biologicals must also begin to address problems of decay management in commodities where postharvest disease is harder to control, such as stone fruits and berries. Lastly, the huge potential of providing extended decay control to the consumer, prior to and after commodity purchase, through the use of antimicrobials in modified and intelligent packaging should be recognized. The greatest hope for a biological approach lies in a further understanding of the mechanism(s) of action of microbial antagonists and natural products, innate and induced resistance in the host, and the biology of decay pathogens. It is expected that this knowledge will lead to new, innovative approaches for controlling decay in harvested commodities and presents the best hope for the future of the biological control of postharvest disease.