POst-harvest loss cause by diseases
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Post-Harvest Losses Caused by Diseases
Economic Impact of Post-Harvest Diseases
Post-harvest diseases significantly impact the economy by causing substantial losses in fresh fruits and vegetables. In the United States alone, annual losses from deterioration during shipment and retail marketing are estimated at approximately $200 million. These losses are primarily due to diseases caused by microorganisms, which affect the quality and marketability of produce.
Major Causes of Post-Harvest Losses
Microbial Pathogens
Microbial pathogens are a leading cause of post-harvest losses. Fungal pathogens, in particular, are responsible for a significant portion of fruit rots and spoilage. These pathogens often remain quiescent in unripe fruits and become active during ripening, leading to substantial losses. Common fungal pathogens include Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, which causes anthracnose in tropical fruits like mangoes, leading to severe post-harvest losses .
Environmental and Handling Factors
Environmental conditions, such as climate and weather, along with poor harvesting and handling techniques, contribute to post-harvest losses. In Ethiopia, for example, factors like inadequate storage and transportation facilities, market conditions, and dust from cement factories have been identified as major causes of post-harvest loss in horticultural crops. Mechanical damage during harvesting and handling also exacerbates these losses.
Strategies for Disease Control
Chemical and Physical Treatments
Various chemical and physical treatments have been developed to control post-harvest diseases. These treatments aim to reduce the number of diseased units during storage and prevent the spread of infections. For instance, treatments for citrus fruits focus on preventing sporulation of Penicillium digitatum to reduce soiling of adjacent fruits.
Biological Control
Biological control methods offer an alternative to synthetic fungicides. Several bacterial and fungal antagonists have been identified that can effectively control post-harvest rots in fruits like peaches, citrus, apples, grapes, and tomatoes. These antagonists work through mechanisms such as antibiosis and competition for nutrients and space, presenting a feasible alternative to chemical treatments.
Induced Resistance
Induced resistance is another promising strategy for controlling post-harvest diseases. This approach involves enhancing the natural defense mechanisms of fruits and vegetables to resist pathogen attacks. Despite its potential, induced resistance has not been widely prioritized in research, particularly in developed countries where an abundant food supply masks the severity of post-harvest losses.
Conclusion
Post-harvest diseases caused by microbial pathogens and poor handling practices result in significant economic losses in the agricultural sector. Effective management strategies, including chemical, physical, and biological treatments, as well as induced resistance, are essential to mitigate these losses. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that integrates pre- and post-harvest treatments and considers environmental and handling factors.
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