IAPPS Newsletter

Abstract

Anthracnose, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, is the most widespread and serious postharvest disease of many tropical fruits including mango, papaya, pitaya, and avocado. The most damaging phase of the disease begins as a quiescent infection, when the fruit is in the preclimacteric phase of development. Growth of the pathogen is resumed only after harvest when the fruit starts to ripen and postharvest anthracnose develops leading to significant decay losses during storage and marketing. The disease is traditionally controlled by synthetic chemical fungicides and hot water treatment, in the case of papaya and mango. However, when harvested fruits are treated with fungicides, there is greater likelihood of direct human exposure to them and of development of resistance in pathogens. This chapter brings to light the key emerging environmentally friendly techniques, in particular, use of edible coatings and essential oils. It is well recognized that there is a need to develop new and effective methods of controlling postharvest diseases that are perceived as safe by the public and pose negligible risk to human health and the environment.