Chapter 17 - Alternative strategies for postharvest disease management

Abstract

Synthetic chemical fungicides are commonly used to control citrus pre and postharvest diseases world over. During postharvest management, the cold chain provides a synergistic effect in further delaying development of decay. However, applications of synthetic fungicides on fruits has been a matter of great concern for decades, keeping in view the human health hazards and, therefore, alternative strategies are being searched to control the diseases and decay of fruits after harvest. Several fungicides also became less effective over time due to their overuse and resistance development in the pathogens. The development of alternative safe synthetic fungicide molecules is a very long process and such molecule are not available at present. The concern also regards environmental pollution when residual waste water/waxes contained in fungicides are drained/discharged as an effluent from packhouses/processing units. All these concerns lead to research in finding safer and effective alternative strategies as well as the development of adequate postharvest-handling technologies. Thus the new eco-friendly solutions would offer the opportunity to eliminate/discontinue chemically synthesized fungicides currently used with the aim to preserve the natural qualities of fresh citrus fruits after harvest and to extend their shelf-life.