V. Yeka Zhimo - Department of Postharvest Science, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, P.O. Box 15159, Rishon LeZion, 7505101, Israel
Ajay Kumar - Department of Postharvest Science, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, P.O. Box 15159, Rishon LeZion, 7505101, Israel
Antonio Biasi - Department of Postharvest Science, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, P.O. Box 15159, Rishon LeZion, 7505101, Israel
Shoshana Salim - Department of Postharvest Science, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, P.O. Box 15159, Rishon LeZion, 7505101, Israel 
Oleg Feygenberg - Department of Postharvest Science, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, P.O. Box 15159, Rishon LeZion, 7505101, Israel
Mohamad Abo Toamy - Extension Service, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Israel
Ahmed Abdelfattaah - Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 12, Graz, 8010, Austria
Shlomit Medina - Department of Natural Resources, Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe Yaar Research Center, P.O. Box 1021, Ramat Yishay, 30095, Israel
Shiri Freilich - Department of Natural Resources, Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe Yaar Research Center, P.O. Box 1021, Ramat Yishay, 30095, Israel
Michael Wisniewski - Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 220 Ag-Quad Ln, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA^e
Samir Droby - Department of Postharvest Science, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, P.O. Box 15159, Rishon LeZion, 7505101, Israel

Plant-associated microbial communities form complex co-associations that play a role in promoting plant productivity and health, although the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. The functional role of the microbiome provides a new perspective on how we can potentially utilize the microbiome to maintain the postharvest quality and health of produce. While the composition and dynamics of the microbiome on fruit and vegetables over time and in response to postharvest management practices has begun to be explored, an understanding of their functional role in harvested produce is still lacking, especially in fruit. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to characterize the effect of near-harvest field application of a yeast biocontrol agent Metschnikowia fructicola, on the strawberry fruit microbiome. High-throughput sequencing revealed significant shifts in the bacterial and fungal community in response to the application of the yeast biocontrol agent sampled at the time of application, after harvest, and after storage and shelf life. Alterations included an increased bacterial diversity, distinct shifts in community composition and structure, specific microbial interactions and differential enrichment of several potentially beneficial genera (Methylobacterium, Sphingomonas, Rhizobium, Bacillus and others) in M. fructicola treated fruit leading to subsequent postharvest disease suppression. Results of this study provide new insights into the dynamics of the postharvest fruit microbiome that will assist in the development of a targeted, microbiome-driven approach to robust and sustainable disease control strategies.