Co-Authors:
Droby, S., Dept. Postharvest Sci. Fresh Produce, ARO, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel, Dept. Postharvest Sci. Fresh Produce, Inst. Technol./Storage Agric. Prod., Volcani Center, P.O. Box 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Cohen, L., Dept. Postharvest Sci. Fresh Produce, ARO, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel
Wisniewski, M.E., USDA-ARS, Appalachian Fruit Research Station, 45 Wiltshire Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, United States
Wilson, C.L., USDA-ARS, Appalachian Fruit Research Station, 45 Wiltshire Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, United States
Chalutz, E., Dept. Postharvest Sci. Fresh Produce, ARO, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel
Abstract:
In recent years, both the public and health authorities have become increasingly concerned about the presence of pesticides in our food supply and the environment. As a direct result of this mounting concern, research efforts for the development of alternative methods for the control of postharvest diseases of fruits and vegetables have been intensified. Considerable attention has been placed on assessing the potential of the use of biological antagonists as a viable alternative to the use of synthetic fungicides. Naturally occurring microbial antagonists have been shown to control several rot pathogens on diverse commodities. Such antagonists have various modes of action: antibiosis or competition for nutrients and space or both, induction of resistance in the host tissue, and direct interaction with the pathogen. The commercialization of certain antagonists to control postharvest decay of fruits and vegetables appears to be feasible and may present an alternative to synthetic pesticides.