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Management of Postharvest Fungal Diseases of Fruits and Vegetables
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Management of Postharvest Fungal Diseases of Fruits and Vegetables

A special issue of Journal of Fungi (ISSN 2309-608X). This special issue belongs to the section "Fungi in Agriculture and Biotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2025) | Viewed by 6000

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Luciana Cerioni

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas (INSIBIO), CONICET-UNT, and Instituto de Química Biológica “Dr Bernabé Bloj”, Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, UNT. Chacabuco 461, T4000ILI San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
Interests: citrus; postharvest; green mold; fungicides; food coating; biocontrol; low toxicity salts
Prof. Dr. Viviana A. Rapisarda

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas (INSIBIO), CONICET-UNT, and Instituto de Química Biológica “Dr Bernabé Bloj”, Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, UNT. Chacabuco 461, T4000ILI San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
Interests: postharvest; lemons; UV-B radiation; nanoparticles

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Postharvest fungal diseases result in major economic losses in fruits and vegetables, estimated at billions of dollars globally each year. Effective management of these pathogens is critical to ensuring the safety, quality, and shelf life of these consumable crops. While conventional chemical fungicides have proven efficacy, concerns have emerged regarding food residuals and the development of pathogen resistance. This Special Issue brings together cutting-edge research focused on alternative, ecological, and natural strategies for managing postharvest fungal diseases across a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Articles address topics including biocontrol agents, low-toxicity compounds, edible coatings, modified atmospheres, non-thermal technologies, and integrated pest management approaches. The goal is to provide an updated understanding of innovative techniques to mitigate postharvest losses, while attenuating issues associated with traditional chemical methods.

Dr. Luciana Cerioni
Prof. Dr. Viviana A. Rapisarda
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Fungi is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biological control
  • low-toxicity compounds
  • edible coatings
  • non-thermal technology

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 2709 KiB  
Article
Diversity and Patulin Production of Penicillium spp. Associated with Apple Blue Mold in Serbia
by Tatjana Dudaš, Pietro Cotugno, Dragana Budakov, Mila Grahovac, Vera Stojšin, Milica Mihajlović, Antonio Ippolito and Simona Marianna Sanzani
J. Fungi 2025, 11(3), 175; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11030175 - 21 Feb 2025
Viewed by 544
Abstract
Apple blue mold, caused by the Penicillium species, is a significant postharvest disease, leading to food loss and impacting food safety due to mycotoxin contamination. This study aimed to identify the Penicillium species associated with apple blue mold in Serbia, assess their pathogenicity, [...] Read more.
Apple blue mold, caused by the Penicillium species, is a significant postharvest disease, leading to food loss and impacting food safety due to mycotoxin contamination. This study aimed to identify the Penicillium species associated with apple blue mold in Serbia, assess their pathogenicity, and evaluate their patulin production potential. A total of 70 Penicillium isolates were collected from symptomatic apple fruit and identified as P. expansum (92.9%), P. crustosum (4.3%), P. solitum (1.4%), and P. chrysogenum (1.4%). The pathogenicity assay revealed P. expansum strains as the most virulent. Molecular detection of msas gene and HPLC analysis confirmed patulin production exclusively in P. expansum isolates. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) grouped P. expansum strains in two distinctive clusters, while P. crustosum strains clustered separately with P. solitum and P. chrysogenum, yet in distinct positions. This is the first report of P. solitum and P. chrysogenum as causal agents of apple blue mold in Serbia. The results of the study provide insights that might be useful in the development of effective control strategies for apple blue mold, ensuring consumption of healthy and safe apple fruit and apple-based products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management of Postharvest Fungal Diseases of Fruits and Vegetables)
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21 pages, 3083 KiB  
Article
A Comparative Transcriptomic Study Reveals Temporal and Genotype-Specific Defense Responses to Botrytis cinerea in Grapevine
by Flavia Angela Maria Maggiolini, Annalisa Prencipe, Carlo Bergamini, Antonio Domenico Marsico, Marco Vendemia, Marika Santamaria, Maria Angela Giannandrea, Margherita D’Amico, Lucia Rosaria Forleo, Rocco Perniola, Riccardo Velasco and Maria Francesca Cardone
J. Fungi 2025, 11(2), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11020124 - 7 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 766
Abstract
Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.), a globally significant crop, is highly susceptible to Botrytis cinerea, the causative agent of gray mold disease. This study investigates transcriptomic responses to B. cinerea in tolerant and susceptible grapevine genotypes using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Differentially expressed [...] Read more.
Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.), a globally significant crop, is highly susceptible to Botrytis cinerea, the causative agent of gray mold disease. This study investigates transcriptomic responses to B. cinerea in tolerant and susceptible grapevine genotypes using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified at three time points (T1, T2, T3), highlighting both genotype-independent and genotype-specific responses. Early-stage infection (T1) revealed rapid and robust activation of defense pathways in both genotypes, though the tolerant genotype showed enhanced modulation of metabolic processes by T2, prioritizing secondary metabolism and stress adaptation over growth. In contrast, the susceptible genotype exhibited less coordinated metabolic reprogramming, with delayed or weaker activation of key defense mechanisms. Gene Ontology and KEGG analyses identified critical pathways, including phenylpropanoid biosynthesis-like lignin metabolism, MAPK signaling, as well as candidate genes such as WRKY transcription factors and enzymes involved in cell wall fortification and antifungal compound biosynthesis. Genotype-specific responses emphasized metabolic flexibility as a determinant of resistance, with the tolerant genotype exhibiting superior resource allocation to defense pathways. These findings provide insights into the molecular basis of grapevine resistance to B. cinerea, offering potential targets for breeding or genetic engineering to enhance resilience and reduce fungicide dependency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management of Postharvest Fungal Diseases of Fruits and Vegetables)
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21 pages, 3301 KiB  
Article
The Use of Specific Non-Saccharomyces Yeasts as Sustainable Biocontrol Solutions Against Botrytis cinerea on Apples and Strawberries
by Zukisani Gomomo, Morris Fanadzo, Maxwell Mewa-Ngongang, Boredi Silas Chidi, Justin Wallace Hoff, Marieta van der Rijst, Lucky Mokwena, Mathabatha Evodia Setati and Heinrich Wilbur du Plessis
J. Fungi 2025, 11(1), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11010026 - 2 Jan 2025
Viewed by 963
Abstract
Apples and strawberries hold significant commercial and nutritional value but face pre- and post-harvest spoilage due to infections by Botrytis cinerea. While spoilage is conventionally managed using synthetic chemicals, there is a growing interest in utilising yeasts as biological control agents. This study [...] Read more.
Apples and strawberries hold significant commercial and nutritional value but face pre- and post-harvest spoilage due to infections by Botrytis cinerea. While spoilage is conventionally managed using synthetic chemicals, there is a growing interest in utilising yeasts as biological control agents. This study aimed to assess the antifungal potential of non-Saccharomyces yeasts Suhomyces pyralidae, Meyerozyma guilliermondii, Pichia kluyveri, Zygoascus hellenicus, and Aureobasidium melanogenum against three B. cinerea strains (B05.10, IWBT-FF1, and PPRI 30807) on agar plates and in post-harvest trials on apples and strawberries. Aureobasidium melanogenum exhibited a broad range of extracellular enzyme production and inhibition rates of 55%, 52%, and 40% against the strains. In volatile organic compound (VOC) assays, P. kluyveri and S. pyralidae achieved 79% and 56% inhibition, respectively, with VOCs like isobutanol, isoamyl alcohol, 2-phenylethanol, isoamyl acetate, and 2-phenethyl acetate identified. In post-harvest trials, S. pyralidae was most effective on apples, with inhibition rates up to of 64%. The commercial fungicide Captan and S. pyralidae and P. kluyveri achieved 100% inhibition against the B. cinerea strains B05.10 and IWBT-FF1 on strawberries. These findings highlight the potential of the selected yeast species as biological control agents against B. cinerea, warranting further research into their application in commercial fruit protection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management of Postharvest Fungal Diseases of Fruits and Vegetables)
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15 pages, 9567 KiB  
Article
Antifungal Action of Metallic Nanoparticles Against Fungicide-Resistant Pathogens Causing Main Postharvest Lemon Diseases
by Carina G. Baigorria, Luciana Cerioni, Mario A. Debes, Ana E. Ledesma, Patricio Alastuey, Mónica Tirado, Sabrina I. Volentini and Viviana A. Rapisarda
J. Fungi 2024, 10(11), 782; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10110782 - 11 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 957
Abstract
Postharvest fungal diseases are the main cause of economic losses in lemon production. The continued use of synthetic fungicides to control the diseases favors the emergence of resistant strains, which encourages the search for alternatives. The aim of this study was to assess [...] Read more.
Postharvest fungal diseases are the main cause of economic losses in lemon production. The continued use of synthetic fungicides to control the diseases favors the emergence of resistant strains, which encourages the search for alternatives. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) as antifungal agents against local isolates of Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium italicum, each of them in a fungicide-sensitive and -resistant version, and a Geotrichum citri-aurantii isolate. NPs of ZnO, CuO, and Ag were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopy and microscopy, presenting average sizes < 25 nm and spherical shapes. ZnO-NPs did not present antifungal activity at the assayed conditions, while the minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) were 1000 and 10 µg mL−1 for CuO-NPs and Ag-NPs, respectively. The NPs’ antimicrobial action included conidial membrane permeability and strong intracellular disorganization. Moreover, the Ag-NPs reduced green mold incidence on inoculated lemons when applied to the fruit. Taken together, Ag-NPs were effective in inhibiting both fungicide-sensitive and -resistant isolates of the main lemon postharvest pathogens, suggesting their potential use as an alternative approach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management of Postharvest Fungal Diseases of Fruits and Vegetables)
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15 pages, 4715 KiB  
Article
Active Prevalence of Fusarium falciforme and F. acutatum Causing Basal Rot of Onion in Maharashtra, India
by Ram Dutta, Krishnappa Jayalakshmi, Auji Radhakrishna, Satish Kumar and Vijay Mahajan
J. Fungi 2024, 10(6), 413; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10060413 - 7 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1944
Abstract
Over the past decade, there have been accumulating reports from researchers, farmers, and field extension personnel on the increasing incidence and spread of onion basal rot in India. Onion basal rot disease is mainly caused by Fusarium spp. This study aimed to validate [...] Read more.
Over the past decade, there have been accumulating reports from researchers, farmers, and field extension personnel on the increasing incidence and spread of onion basal rot in India. Onion basal rot disease is mainly caused by Fusarium spp. This study aimed to validate the information on the active prevalence of F. falciforme and F. acutatum causing Fusarium basal rot (FBR) in Maharashtra. A survey was conducted, and the infected plants/bulbs were collected from fields of 38 locations comprising five districts of Maharashtra, namely, Nashik, Aurangabad, Solapur, Ahmednagar, and Pune, in 2023. This disease was prevalent in high-moisture and high-oil-temperature conditions and the symptoms were observed in most of the fields, with the FBR incidence ranging from 17 to 41%. The available data of basal rot incidence from 1998 to 2022 were analyzed, based on which the prevalence of FBR was 11–50%. Tissue from the infected samples of onion bulbs was used for the isolation. The identification was performed based on colony morphology and microscopic features and confirmed through molecular markers using ITS and Tef-1α gene primers. Of the ten Fusarium isolates collected from selected locations, six species were confirmed as F. acutatum and four as F. falciforme. The pathogenicity tests performed with onion seedlings and bulbs under moist conditions proved that both F. acutatum and F. falciforme independently could cause basal rot disease symptoms but with different degrees of virulence. Koch’s postulates were confirmed by reisolating the same pathogens from the infected plants. Thus, the active prevalence of FBR was confirmed in Maharashtra and also, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of F. falciforme and F. acutatum causing basal rot of onion independently in Maharashtra, India. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management of Postharvest Fungal Diseases of Fruits and Vegetables)
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