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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Kearneysville, West Virginia » Appalachian Fruit Research Laboratory » Innovative Fruit Production, Improvement, and Protection » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #336736
Title: Biological approaches for managing postharvest decay

Author
item DROBY, SAMIR - Volcani Center (ARO)
item Wisniewski, Michael
item Norelli, John

Submitted to: American Phytopathology Society
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2017
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Significant progress has been made in the discovery, development, and improvement of a wide variety of microbial antagonists. All indications suggest that the biopesticide industry will continue to grow and eventually become a mainstream, commercially-viable approach to disease control. We are definitely moving into an “age of biology” and away from an “age of chemicals.” In this new age, biological solutions will be used to solve disease and production problems in agriculture. The universe of unexplored microbes and their potential use offers a new paradigm, especially in regards to the use of natural and synthetic microbial consortia. Research is discovering that the boundaries between macro-organisms (plants, animals, and humans) and micro-organisms is ambiguous and superficially understood. Understanding how these two worlds interact will be the challenge facing researchers in many fields, including those that work on the biological control of pre- and postharvest plant diseases. With all great challenges come great opportunities.