Fruit Loss Research Articles

Expression of the Cry10Aa toxin in transgenic tomato confers tolerance to the tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta)

Tomato is attacked by numerous insects that can cause loss of fruit and leaves and even the death of the plant. Plant herbivory by insect pests is considered the biggest cause of losses in tomato crops, representing between 20 and 30% of total production in developing countries. The tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta) is among the most important predators frequently found in commercial tomato crops in South America, Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, where it has caused extensive economic damage. Here, we hypothesized that the expression of the toxin Cry10Aa coding gene, under control of the actin 2 promoter from Arabidopsis thaliana, could generate tolerance to T. absoluta in genetically modified tomato plants. Results have shown that transgenic lines segregated the transgenes in a Mendelian fashion. One line, named L10, which presented the highest toxin level in leaves (8.3 ng/mg of fresh tissue), presented a reduction of 49.9% in the emergence of adults. This suggested an effect on the life cycle of T. absoluta interacting with transgenic plants that correctly express the Cry10Aa toxin. In addition, a remarkable difference was observed in the effect of herbivory on the L10 event when compared to the non-transgenic plants. This demonstrated the potential of Cry10Aa protein expression to generate tomato plants tolerant to T. absoluta, possibly in combination with other genes. It may form the foundation for the generation of elite varieties resistant to tomato leafminer, a devastating insect pest for horticultural crops.

Apple production systems and post-harvest management across selected locations of North Shewa Zone, Ethiopia

Apple farming is a new production venture across the North Shewa Zone. Its production, harvest, postharvest handling, and marketing status are not well known. This study was conducted to assess the above-lined situations across the district. Four representative locations, Asabahir, Tsigereda, Tengego, and Godnamamas were selected based on their apple production status. Then, a total of 88 respondents were randomly selected and interviewed by a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics of percentage, standard deviation, and chi-square tests. A larger percentage of farmers are male (82.9%), in their active production age (41.7%), and produce apples in their backyard (85.25%). The agronomic management of fertilization, pruning, training, and plant spacing deviate from the recommended practices of apple farming. Whereas varietal distribution, irrigation, and post-harvest treatments are better practiced. Loss of fruits by fruit drops and discrimination on the market due to small fruit size are serious problems across the locations. Regarding apple farming, the farmers think of it as a productive venture and got a better price per kg and single fruit sale. They sell mainly in local collectors (60.2%) and nearby cities. As for institutional support, the farmers got apple seedlings, training, and capacity buildings by Agriculture Offices and NGOs, even if the farmers are still in higher need of better support. Therefore, it can be concluded that if not outwaited by poor tree management, destructive product transportation, and higher loss of fruits from trees and in the market, the attitude of the farmers can be capitalized in better production of apples.

Yeast Mixtures for Postharvest Biocontrol of Diverse Fungal Rots on Citrus limon var Eureka

Mexico is among the most important citrus fruit producers in the world. However, during storage, several problems related to fungi can arise. The most common fungal postharvest diseases detected on Citrus limon var Eureka (Italian lime) produced in the Tamaulipas state are green/blue mold (Penicillium spp.), fusarium rot (F. oxysporum, F. solani, F. proliferatum, among others), and anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.). In this work, we selected yeasts, occurring as the natural epiphytic mycoflora of lemons or from fermented traditional products, to be tested as part of a formulation for protecting stored lemons against fungal diseases. The best-performing yeasts, labeled as LCBG-03 (Meyerozyma guilliermondii), LCBG-30 (Pseudozyma sp.), and LCBG-49 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), were selected to test their compatibility and biocontrol performance against strains of Penicillium digitatum (AL-38), Fusarium sp. (AL-21), Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (AL-13), and Epicoccum sorghinum (H3A). Based on their in vitro performance regarding the percentage of radial growth inhibition, both applied individually or as two yeasts mixed at equal cellular concentrations, the best combinations (containing M. guilliermondii formulated with either Pseudozyma sp. or S. cerevisiae) were selected with efficacies higher than 95% in both in vitro fungal radial growth rate inhibition and on stored lemon fruits. This work contributes to the search for compatible yeast combinations with the aim to diminish the fungal losses of citrus fruits using biocontrol for citrus postharvest protection.

Exploring bacterial cell-free supernatants, unfiltered ferments and crude bacteria uses of Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus (Morganellaceae) for controlling Botrytis cinerea (Helotiales: Sclerotiniaceae)

The pathogen Botrytis cinerea (Helotiales: Sclerotiniaceae) is a wound necrotrophic fungus that causes significant losses in fruits and vegetables worldwide. The entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) symbiotic bacteria, Xenorhabdus spp. and Photorhabdus spp., are well-known associated biological control agents that produce a diverse range of natural antifungal compounds. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of different control strategies against B. cinerea using: (i) EPN symbiotic bacterial cell-free supernatants, (ii) unfiltered ferments and (iii) crude bacteria isolates. The antifungal efficacy of X. bovienii, X. nematophila, X. kozodoii and P. laumondii subsp. laumondii cell-free supernatants obtained after the bacterial fermentations were tested in vitro at two different concentrations (10% and 20%). Furthermore, the antifungal effect of X. nematophila and P. laumondii unfiltered ferments were tested in vitro, and their dissuasive effect was also tested over tomato leaves. Finally, the antifungal capacity of the crude X. nematophila and P. laumondii isolate was tested comparing their effect with the fungicide effect of the commercial Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (Serenade® ASO fungicide). The results showed that employing the bacterial cell-free supernatants or the unfiltered ferments could have different antifungal efficacy against this pathogen. Applying X. nematophila cell-free supernatant and unfiltered ferments at 20% concentration resulted in the highest inhibition effect compared with the control (distilled water), 82% and 100%, respectively. Furthermore, P. laumondii-isolate can control the growth of Botrytis in in vitro conditions, showing no significant differences with the efficacy of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens in a four-day experiment. Overall, this study builds on a better understanding of the effects of these novel biocontrol agents against B. cinerea and helps to develop an innovative formulation of these bacterial products as an efficient biocontrol tool.

Molecular Aspects Revealed by Omics Technologies Related to the Defense System Activation in Fruits in Response to Elicitors: A Review

Fruit losses and wastage are mainly due to postharvest diseases; their control is reduced with pesticides. The excessive use of synthetic fungicides has caused harmful effects on human health and the environment, so it is therefore necessary to reduce their use. The development of new innocuous strategies has led to the use of compounds of natural or biological origin with the capacity to induce the plant defense system, which improves the fruit’s response against future pathogen attacks in addition to reducing the incidence of postharvest diseases. These compounds are known as “elicitors”. Although the use of molecular tools such as RT-qPCR or the measurement of the enzymatic activity of molecular markers makes it possible to determine the activation of the plant defense system in response to the application of an elicitor compound, in recent years, omics technologies such as the transcriptome, proteome, or metabolome have provided new and interesting information that helps to elucidate the molecular aspects involved in the activation of the plant defense system in response to the application of elicitors. This review summarizes recent advances in molecular aspects, highlighting the contribution of omics technologies to a better understanding of fruit defense mechanisms induced by different elicitors.

Antifungal packaging with coconut oil extract improved the storage of fresh tamarillo fruits

During the post-harvest period, the shelf life of tamarillos can be significantly affected by fungi such as Colletotrichum tamarilloi. Although incorporating fungicides such as lauric acid into packaging can prevent fruit loss, it is necessary to find more readily available sources of antifungal agents. This study demonstrated that incorporating coconut oil hydrolysis products (COHP) into packaging can prevent fungal growth in tamarillos (Solanum betaceum). We found that high-pressure hydrolysis of coconut oil produced COHP with 93.1% w/w organic phase recovery and a high concentration of lauric acid (43.3% w/w). Minimum inhibitory concentration assays of CHOP against four different fungi (Colletotrichum tamarilloi, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. passiflorae, Fusarium solani, and Fusarium equisetti) confirmed their antifungal properties. Furthermore, we incorporated COHP as an additive in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) films and observed that it inhibited the growth of Colletotrichum tamarilloi by over 80%. Results from in vivo studies showed that the shelf life of both infected and healthy tamarillos was extended by up to three and more than four weeks, respectively.

Economical Olive Oil Production by Reduction of Post-Harvest Losses in Olive Fruit

The higher cost of oil extraction units and their shortage at the district level results in huge economic losses for olive farmers. Olive fruit harvesting and packing method for temporary storage and transportation cause major losses to the growers due to the reduction in the quality of olive oil. Poor economic returns from lower-quality olive oil result in financial losses to the growers. Fruit harvesting and packing method are major sources of fruit losses; hence the studies were designed to standardize commercial fruit harvesting and packing method to minimize the losses. The study was conducted at Buzdar Agricultural Farm, DG Khan. The fruit was packed in plastic bags (Conventional method) and perforated fruit baskets (Non-conventional method) for transportation from the olive orchard to the Oil Mill (Barani Agricultural Research Institute, Chakwal) for extraction of olive oil. Olive oil extraction machine Model (Pieralisi, Italy) and the first cold extraction were used for data collection. Minimum fruit damage of 1.14% was recorded in hand picking, and maximum fruit damage of 10.65% was recorded in stick beating. Maximum fruit rotting of 4.48% was recorded in stick beating, and minimum damage of 1.10% was recorded in the hand picking method. Oil recovery percentage was not affected by harvesting and packing methods; however, oil quality was highly affected by harvesting and packing methods, which resulted in economic returns from produced olive oil. Poor quality oil fetched minimum price as compared with premium quality olive oil, which resulted in financial losses to the grower.

Biocontrol Agents against Post Harvest Decay in Fruits and Vegetables: A Review

Post harvest losses are the major threats in the supply chain between harvest and consumption which contribute 44% of the total loss of fruits and vegetables. Among the various causes, post harvest diseases are major decay of fruits and vegetables accounting for 20-25% losses. The causative fungus belonging to both biotrophic and necrotrophic nature belongs to the genera of Aspergillus, Penicillium, Botrytis, etc. Management of post harvest diseases by conventional chemicals is not preferred due to residual effects and toxicity. Considering the global demand and consumer awareness about the health effects of pesticides, biocontrol agents are getting attention in recent times for post harvest disease management. BCAs like Trichoderma, Bacillus and Pseudomonas have been explored for successful management of post harvest diseases of citrus, strawberry, tomato, etc. The possible mode actions of the BCAs are competition for nutrients and space, production of antimicrobial compounds, hydrolytic enzymes, and induced resistance. The added advantage of BCAs is that they can be integrated with other physical, natural compounds and additives for coatings due to their synergistic and mutualistic effect. The product development for biocontrol origin must be encouraged to utilize the benefits they provide. Several constraints in process of product development may arise which can be overcome by more research, education, training at the farm level, and multi-omics studies to unravel the potentials of the BCAs.

Tomato LysM receptor kinase 4 mediates chitin-elicited fungal resistance in both leaves and fruit.

Fungal infection is a major cause of crop and fruit losses. Recognition of chitin, a component of fungal cell walls, endows plants with enhanced fungal resistance. Here, we found that mutation of tomato LysM receptor kinase 4 (SlLYK4) and chitin elicitor receptor kinase 1 (SlCERK1) impaired chitin-induced immune responses in tomato leaves. Compared with the wild type, sllyk4 and slcerk1 mutant leaves were more susceptible to Botrytis cinerea (gray mold). SlLYK4 extracellular domain showed strong binding affinity to chitin, and the binding of SlLYK4 induced SlLYK4-SlCERK1 association. Remarkably, qRT-PCR analysis indicated that SlLYK4 was highly expressed in tomato fruit, and β-GLUCURONIDASE (GUS) expression driven by the SlLYK4 promoter was observed in tomato fruit. Furthermore, SlLYK4 overexpression enhanced disease resistance not only in leaves but also in fruit. Our study suggests that chitin-mediated immunity plays a role in fruit, providing a possible way to reduce fungal infection-related fruit losses by enhancing the chitin-induced immune responses.

The Impact of Formalin on Postharvest Quality, Shelf Life, and Nutritive Properties of Carrot, Papaya, Plum, Apple Plum, and Guava

As per the news and articles published in mass media in recent years, the usage of formalin in fruits and vegetables has become a worrisome condition in Bangladesh. In this context, this study was conducted to observe the effect of formalin on postharvest quality, shelf life, and nutritional profile of carrot, papaya, plum, apple plum, and guava. Fruits and vegetables sample were treated with different concentrations of formalin solutions (1%, 10%, 20%, and 30%) in two different modes (dipping and spraying) and stored for seven days. Physical parameters (color, texture, and flavor), weight loss, and shelf life were observed on every alternate day during the study period. Furthermore, 20% formalin-treated samples were used to find out the changes in nutritional profile (moisture, ash, carbohydrate, fat, and protein), pH, and vitamin C content. The study results revealed that different concentrations of formalin and treatment methods (dipping and spraying) did not bring up any positive effect in increasing the shelf-life and physical characteristics of selected fruits and vegetables during storage. Moreover, formalin treatment with higher concentration went in faster deterioration in color, texture, and flavor of samples compared to the control. The weight loss of fruits and vegetables is not dependent on formalin application. Formalin treatment worked negatively on the shelf life of samples. A significant reduction (P<0.05) trend on some nutritional parameters (carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamin C) was observed in formalin-treated apple plum and guava when compared with the control. No significant differences in the pulp pH content were seen as a result of formalin treatment. The overall results suggest that formalin is not a useful preservative to improve the post-harvest qualities and shelf-life of carbohydrate-rich fruits and vegetables at any concentration and mode of application and it has also a negative effect on the nutritional properties of fruits and vegetables.

Effect of combined application of carbonate salts and hot water treatment for the management of postharvest anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) of papaya.

Postharvest anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Penz.Sacc) is the most economically important biological constraint to papaya production and consumption, which causes substantial yield loss worldwide. The effect of combined application of carbonate salts and hot water treatments on the development of postharvest anthracnose and maintenances of postharvest quality of papaya fruit was studied in completely randomized design (CRD) under laboratory condition. The results revealed that combined application of hot water treatment and carbonate salts significantly (p < .05) reduced the incidence and severity of postharvest papaya anthracnose disease. The disease incidence reached 100% 21 days after inoculation in the control treatment; this level was significantly reduced to 26.70% by dipping the fruits in NH4CO3 at 50°C and NH4CO3 at 54°C. Similarly, treatments significantly (p < .05) reduced the disease severity in different degrees from the first day of disease appearance to the date of 100% unmarketability of control fruits. Furthermore, the combined application of carbonate salt and hot water treatments significantly improves fruit marketability by 93.33%. Moreover, the treatments showed significant (p < .05) effect on maintaining pH, TSS, TA, and reducing postharvest weight loss of papaya fruit. In conclusion, postharvest treatment of papaya fruit with NH4CO3 at 54°C, NH4CO3 at 52°C, and NaCO3 at 54°C can significantly reduce anthracnose development and improve marketability of the fruits without pronounced effect on their edible qualities.

Effect of magnetic field on quality improvement of medium‐term delivery frozen pepper

AbstractThe water loss of medium‐term delivery frozen pepper is significant, resulting in the decline of product quality and the loss of nutrients. Hydrocolloids have been proved to help reduce the water loss of fruits and vegetables. Applying magnetic field can reduce the size of ice crystals during freezing, thus preventing cell damage and reducing water loss. In this study, the pickled red pepper was first soaked in gellan gum solution, and then frozen by magnetic field assisted freezing method to reduce the water loss of pepper products during storage. The process was accelerated by repeated (2–6 times) freezing and thawing, so as to reach the standard of medium‐term delivery faster. At the same time, the thawing stage was also supplemented by the action of magnetic field to explore its thawing effect. The results showed that freezing at 10 mT and −20°C and thawing at 4°C and 10 mT can better maintain the texture characteristics of pepper products compared to the control group, thereby reducing the water loss from 40% to 5%, increasing the color appeal, and reducing the loss of red pigment.Practical applicationsThis study provides a simple and novel method to reduce the water loss of frozen products during thawing. These steps combine hydrophilic colloid and magnetic field exploration to reduce the water loss of frozen products, and provide new ideas for product freezing and thawing.

Predicting the ripening time of ‘Hass’ and ‘Shepard’ avocado fruit by hyperspectral imaging

Predicting the ripening time of avocado fruit accurately could improve fruit storage and decrease food waste. No reasonable method exists for predicting the postharvest ripening time of avocado fruit during transport, storage or retail display. Here, hyperspectral imaging ranging from 388 to 1005 nm with 462 bands was applied to 316 ‘Hass’ and 160 ‘Shepard’ mature, unripe avocado fruit to predict how many days it took for individual fruit to become ripe. Three models were developed using partial least squares regression (PLSR), deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) regression and DCNN classification. Our PLSR models provided coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.76 and 0.50 and root mean squared errors (RMSE) of 1.20 and 1.13 days for ‘Hass’ and ‘Shepard’ fruit, respectively. The DCNN-based regression models produced similar results with R2 of 0.77 and 0.59, and RMSEs of 1.43 and 0.94 days for ‘Hass’ and ‘Shepard’ fruit, respectively. The prediction accuracies and RMSEs from DCNN classification models, respectively, were 67.28% and 1.52 days for ‘Hass’ and 64.06% and 1.03 days for ‘Shepard’. Our study demonstrates that the spectral reflectance of the skin of mature, unripe ‘Hass’ and ‘Shepard’ fruit provides adequate information to predict ripening time and, thus, has the potential to improve postharvest processing and reduce postharvest losses of avocado fruit.

Reviewing the Tradeoffs between Sunburn Mitigation and Red Color Development in Apple under a Changing Climate

Orchard systems have drastically changed over the last three decades to high-density plantings that prioritize light interception that is evenly distributed throughout the entire canopy. These conditions allow the production of fruit with a high red color that meets consumer demands for uniformly colored fruit without external disorders. However, these systems also expose a higher proportion of fruit to full-sunlight conditions. In many semi-arid apple production regions, summer temperatures often exceed thresholds for the development of fruit sunburn, which can lead to &gt;10% fruit losses in some regions and some years. To combat this, growers and researchers use sunburn mitigation strategies such as shade netting and evaporative cooling, which bring a different set of potential fruit quality impacts. Often, there is a tradeoff between red color development and fruit sunburn, particularly for strategies that affect light intensity reaching the fruit surface. In this paper, we review agronomic and environmental factors leading to reductions in red color and increases in sunburn incidence, along with advancements in management practices that help mitigate these issues. Furthermore, we also identify gaps in knowledge on the influence climate change might have on the viability of some practices that either enhance red color or limit sunburn for apple orchards in semi-arid environments. There is a need for cost-effective management strategies that reduce losses to sunburn but do not inhibit red color development in bicolor apple cultivars.

Investigation of the Factors That Contribute to Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Losses in the Australian Fresh Food Supply Chain

Fruit and vegetables (FV) are the major source of bioactive compounds for human beings. FV supply chains are complex and sensitive due to various features, including the seasonality of products, variations in demand, and short shelf-lives. The amount of waste in FV supply chains is significant compared with other supply chains as 44% of fresh FV produced globally are wasted in the food chain. This large amount of waste has a significant impact on the economy, food security, available natural resources, and the environment. To reduce food losses in the fresh food supply chain (FFSC), the root causes of waste must be first identified. While a number of researchers have investigated food losses in Australia, most only consider a specific stage in the supply chain and multiple stages in the FFSC are often overlooked. Additionally, the impact of advanced storage technologies, packing, handling, and transport on food losses should be investigated. Furthermore, supply chain practices are changing in response to uncertainties, such as the pandemic and climate changes, which also need to be captured. This research aims to identify the key factors contributing to fresh fruit and vegetable losses through a comprehensive empirical study. Primary data were collected through a well-designed questionnaire-based survey targeting major stakeholders in the FFSC, including farmers, distributors, and retailers in Australia. The survey investigates current postharvest practices and the effects of these practices on food losses. The main factors influencing food losses were identified and the options to reduce these losses were outlined. The results showed that losses mostly occurred at the farm level, and picking practices and preharvest conditions largely contributed to FV losses. The results highlight the need for proper training and education for workers involved in harvesting and handling fresh produce.

Research progress of volatile organic compounds produced by plant endophytic bacteria in control of postharvest diseases of fruits and vegetables

Pathogen infestation results in significant losses of fruits and vegetables during handling, transportation, and storage. The use of synthetic fungicides has been a common measure for controlling plant pathogens. However, their excessive use of chemicals has led to increased environmental pollution, leaving large amounts of chemicals in agricultural products, posing a threat to human and animal health. There is now an increasing amount of research activities to explore safer and more innovative ways to control plant pathogens. In this regard, endophytic bacteria contribute significantly. Endophytic bacteria are ubiquitous in the internal tissues of plants without causing damage or disease to the host. Due to their high volatility and difficulties in residue in fruits and vegetables, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) produced by endophytic bacteria have received a lot of attention in recent years. VOCs are a potential biofumigant for the effective control of postharvest fruits and vegetables diseases. This review focuses mainly on the recent progress in using endophytic bacteria VOCs to control post-harvest fruits and vegetables disease. This review provides a brief overview of the concept, characteristics, and summarises the types, application effect, and control mechanisms of endophytic bacterial VOCs. The research area that is being developed has great application value in agriculture and living practice.

Mechanism of Antifungal Activity of Piperine against Botrytis cinerea

P iperine is a major component of plants of the Piperaceae family which is widely used in medical science. Botrytis cinerea is one of the most important phytopathogenic fungi causes postharvest losses in fruits and vegetables. To verify the possibility of using piperine as a botanical fungicide against B. cinerea, we determined the in vivo and in vitro antifungal activity of piperine against B. cinerea and investigated its antifungal mechanism effects on the mycelial surface, membrane integrity, soluble protein content, superoxide dismutase, catalase, succinate dehydrogenase and the malondialdehyde content of B. cinerea. The in vitro antifungal activity assay indicated that the EC50 value of piperine against B. cinerea was 58.66 μg/mL and the in vivo antifungal assay showed that piperine at 400 μg/mL suppressed 93.88% growth of B. cinerea on Lycopersic esculentum. The antifungal mechanism assay showed that piperine could inhibit mycelial growth of B. cinerea by reducing antioxidant activity, inhibiting the tricarboxylic acid pathway, and lysing the cell membrane. All these results indicated that piperine as a natural component has the potential to control B. cinerea and can be considered as a botanical fungicide for postharvest disease control of gray mold.

Identification of volatile compounds from fruits aroma and citrus essential oils and their effect on oviposition of Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), also known as the Mediterranean fruit fly, is one of the most serious pests for several fresh fruit commodities causing extensive fruit losses worldwide. The response of C. capitata adults to fruit and nonfruit volatiles has been extensively studied. However, the linkage between fruit volatiles and the female ovipositional choice has not been fully elucidated. The present study focused on identifying the volatile organic compounds emitted by detached intact fresh fruits (oranges, lemons, bergamots, and apples) and citrus essential oils and evaluate their effect on Mediterranean fruit fly oviposition. There were more than 130 and 45 volatiles compounds detected in fruits odors and citrus essential oils, respectively. The volatile profile of fruits was dominated either from terpenes and terpenoids or from esters of butanoic, hexanoic, and octanoic acids while limonene was by far the most abundant compound in all citrus essential oils. Oviposition of C. capitata was strongly affected by volatiles emanated from both intact fruit and the citrus essential oils. Regarding the volatiles of the intact fruits, the odor of sweet orange elicited strong oviposition responses to females, while bergamot had the least stimulatory effect on oviposition. Bergamot oil also elicited the least oviposition stimulation compared to sweet orange and lemon essential oils. Our discussion elaborates on the role of fruit volatiles on host finding behavior and fruit susceptibility to C. capitata infestation and includes possible practical implication of the above findings.

Morphological and Molecular Identification Protocols for Bactrocera dorsalis: A Joint Validation Study

Bactrocera dorsalis is considered among the most destructive and economically important invasive fruit flies worldwide. Native to Southeast Asia, in just a few years, it has spread almost throughout all of sub-Saharan Africa, causing fruit loss in several commercially grown crops. In Europe, it is frequently intercepted as larva on imported fruits during phytosanitary inspections. In recent years, adult specimens have been caught in traps in Austria, Italy, and France, increasing the level of attention to this species. Rapid and unambiguous identification by European plant health laboratories is important to effectively prevent its introduction and establishment in Europe. The harmonized use of validated diagnostic protocols is essential. However, in entomology, unlike other disciplines, diagnostic protocols often lack validation data to support their suitability as adequate identification tools. In this study, tests from two international diagnostic protocols for the identification of B. dorsalis underwent a thorough validation process to assess their performance characteristics (analytical and diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, repeatability, and reproducibility). A novel process of a joint validation of morphological and molecular identification protocols is reported. The novelty of this approach arises from the fact that morphological and molecular tests are validated in the same study, based on the same panel of samples, also allowing a two-way control on the assigned values of samples. Potential critical issues that could represent weaknesses of the protocols are also discussed in detail. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .

Postharvest Losses of Fruits and Vegetables Along Their Urban Supply Chain in Eastern Africa: a Case Study of Uganda Towards Sustainable Management

Postharvest Losses of Fruits and Vegetables Along Their Urban Supply Chain in Eastern Africa: a Case Study of Uganda Towards Sustainable Management