scholarly journals Microbial Biocontrol as an Alternative to Synthetic Fungicides: Boundaries between Pre- and Postharvest Applications on Vegetables and Fruits

Fermentation ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 60
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Michele Sellitto ◽  
Severino Zara ◽  
Fabio Fracchetti ◽  
Vittorio Capozzi ◽  
Tiziana Nardi
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Control Plant ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Postharvest Quality ◽  
Crucial Point ◽  
Production Chain ◽  
Vegetables And Fruits ◽  
And Storage

From a ‘farm to fork’ perspective, there are several phases in the production chain of fruits and vegetables in which undesired microbial contaminations can attack foodstuff. In managing these diseases, harvest is a crucial point for shifting the intervention criteria. While in preharvest, pest management consists of tailored agricultural practices, in postharvest, the contaminations are treated using specific (bio)technological approaches (physical, chemical, biological). Some issues connect the ‘pre’ and ‘post’, aligning some problems and possible solution. The colonisation of undesired microorganisms in preharvest can affect the postharvest quality, influencing crop production, yield and storage. Postharvest practices can ‘amplify’ the contamination, favouring microbial spread and provoking injures of the product, which can sustain microbial growth. In this context, microbial biocontrol is a biological strategy receiving increasing interest as sustainable innovation. Microbial-based biotools can find application both to control plant diseases and to reduce contaminations on the product, and therefore, can be considered biocontrol solutions in preharvest or in postharvest. Numerous microbial antagonists (fungi, yeasts and bacteria) can be used in the field and during storage, as reported by laboratory and industrial-scale studies. This review aims to examine the main microbial-based tools potentially representing sustainable bioprotective biotechnologies, focusing on the biotools that overtake the boundaries between pre- and postharvest applications protecting quality against microbial decay.

Morphological and molecular based identification of Antifungal bacillus licheniformis

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-35
Author(s):  
B Oyuntogtokh ◽  
M Byambasuren
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Licheniformis ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Plant Pathogens ◽  
Control Plant ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Bacillus Species ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Fusarium Spp ◽  
Bacterial Cultures

At present, plant diseases caused by soil borne plant pathogens have major constraints on crop production. Which include genera Fusarium spp, Phytophtora spp, Sclerotinia and Altenaria. Due to this reason, chemical fungicides are routinely used to control plant disease, which is also true in Mongolian case. However, use of these chemicals has caused various problems including environmental pollution with consequence of toxicity to human health also resistance of some pathogens to these fungicides are present. Fortunately, an alternative method to reduce the effect of these plant pathogens is the use of antagonist microorganisms. Therefore, some species of the genus Bacillus are recognized as one of the most effective biological control agent.Our research was focused to isolate Bacillus licheniformis, with antifungal potential, from indigenous sources. In the current study, 28 bacterial cultures were isolated from soil and fermented mare’s milk also named as koumiss. Isolated bacterial cultures were identified according to simplified key for the tentative identification of typical strain of Bacillus species. As a result 8 strains were positive and further screened for antifungal activity against Fusarium spp and Alternaria solani. Out of these 8 strains 5 strains are selected based on their high effectiveness against fungal pathogens and for further confirmation Polymerase Chain reaction run for effective bacterial strains using specific primers B.Lich-f and B.Lich-r. 

scholarly journals RNA interference approaches for plant disease control

BioTechniques ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 69 (6) ◽  
pp. 469-477
Author(s):  
Yen-Wen Kuo ◽  
Bryce W Falk
Keyword(s):  
Rna Interference ◽  
Disease Control ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Plant Disease ◽  
Plant Pathogens ◽  
Control Plant ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Plant Disease Control

Plant diseases caused by a variety of pathogens can have severe effects on crop plants and even plants in natural ecosystems. Despite many effective conventional approaches to control plant diseases, new, efficacious, environmentally sound and cost-effective approaches are needed, particularly with our increasing human population and the effects on crop production and plant health caused by climate change. RNA interference (RNAi) is a gene regulation and antiviral response mechanism in eukaryotes; transgenic and non transgenic plant-based RNAi approaches have shown great effectiveness and potential to target specific plant pathogens and help control plant diseases, especially when no alternatives are available. Here we discuss ways in which RNAi has been used against different plant pathogens, and some new potential applications for plant disease control.

scholarly journals Entomophages as a Perspective Direction of Plant Protection

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana Marinchenko
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Plant Protection ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Green Economy ◽  
Increase Production Efficiency ◽  
Environmental Burden

Increased demand for food to feed the ever-growing population led to the development and adoption of synthetic chemicals as a quick and effective strategy of managing crop pests and diseases. Such agricultural practices have contributed to environmental pollution, which is further affecting food security, human health, and the climate. At the same time, up to 40% of crops die due to pests and plant diseases. Therefore, sustainable crop production and global food security depend on the timely implementation of the latest scientific projects in various fields of crop production including genetics, breeding, agronomy, crop physiology, crop management practices, biotechnology, and even entomology. The introduction of biological agents to protect, control and stimulate the development of agricultural crops is one of the ways of increasing the efficiency and profitability of production, reducing the environmental burden and increasing the competitiveness of producers. This is consistent with the concepts of a green economy and the sustainable development of agriculture. Since the unilateral use of chemicals does not meet today’s requirements, special attention must be paid to preventative, agrotechnical measures, as well as the use of natural factors for regulating the number of pests using parasitic and predatory insects. Domestic biotechnological developments for crop production which increase production efficiency and reduce the environmental burden are discussed. Keywords: plant growing, entomophages, protection, efficiency, ecology, ecology

scholarly journals Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Agricultural Practices in the Malagos Watershed, Davao City, Philippines

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hector B. Cadena
Keyword(s):  
Waste Disposal ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Harvesting Method ◽  
Product Disposal ◽  
Vegetables And Fruits

This study describes the agricultural production practices of the farmers in the Malagos Watershed, Davao City, Philippines. This was done given the new trends in Ecoagriculture and Permaculture principles. The different Agricultural practices were described and assessed in terms of sustainability. Sustainable Agriculture is the production of food and other farm products in ways that protect the environment, public health and animal welfare. Practices need to be modified if they are causing damage to these factors instead.  As to crops planted, which included cereals, vegetables and fruits, sustainability was rated fair. Tools and equipment used together with the method of cultivation were rated highly sustainable.  Fertilizers used and method of fertilizer application which was mostly (40%) commercial fertilizers applied through basal and broadcast method, were rated sustainable.  The method of irrigation, which was mostly rainfed, was assessed as highly sustainable. The method of pests and disease control was the only practice rated poor since commercial chemical spray were commonly used and one potentially harmful to people and the environment.  Harvesting method, which was mostly by handpicking, was rated highly sustainable.  Their methods of storage, product disposal and waste disposal were all classified as fairly sustainable. Concerning livestock production, almost all of their practices, including, type of animal raised, method of animal housing, feeds used, method of watering, method of product disposal and method of waste disposal, all rated fairly sustainable.  Only the method of feeding, which mostly used dry feeds instead of free grazing, was graded sustainable. Crop production and livestock production in the Malagos Watershed averaged quite acceptable. It is, therefore, recommended that these practices be improved, maintained and monitored so that the agricultural practices in the Malagos Watershed would remain viable in the future. This study is the first attempt at assessing the sustainability of Agricultural practices of Indigenous peoples habituating the Malagos Watershed.

scholarly journals Pomegranate Peel Extracts as Safe Natural Treatments to Control Plant Diseases and Increase the Shelf-Life and Safety of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 453
Author(s):  
Imen Belgacem ◽  
Maria G. Li Destri Nicosia ◽  
Sonia Pangallo ◽  
Ahmed Abdelfattah ◽  
Massimo Benuzzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Pathogens ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Control Plant ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Pomegranate Peel ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Pharmaceutical Industries

Although the Green Revolution was a milestone in agriculture, it was accompanied by intensive use of synthetic pesticides, which has raised serious concerns due to their impact on human and environmental health. This is increasingly stimulating the search for safer and more eco-friendly alternative means to control plant diseases and prevent food spoilage. Among the proposed alternatives, pomegranate peel extracts (PPEs) are very promising because of their high efficacy. In the present review, we discuss the complex mechanisms of action that include direct antimicrobial activity and induction of resistance in treated plant tissues and highlight the importance of PPE composition in determining their activity. The broad spectrum of activity, wide range of application and high efficiency of PPEs against bacterial, fungal and viral plant pathogens suggest a potential market not only restricted to organic production but also integrated farming systems. Considering that PPEs are non-chemical by-products of the pomegranate industry, they are perceived as safe by the public and may be integrated in circular economy strategies. This will likely encourage agro-pharmaceutical industries to develop commercial formulations and speed up the costly process of registration.

Horticultural hygiene, sanitation and waste management.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynette Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Production Chain ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Tools And Techniques ◽  
And Storage

Abstract Hygiene and sanitation are vital aspects of horticultural production that serve to protect consumers from foodborne illness and to prevent the spread of crop pests and diseases, while maintaining produce quality and shelf life. Growers have access to many tools and techniques to maintain high levels of sanitation and hygiene with most crops, and production systems that have specific guidelines which outline these processes. Control over sanitation and hygiene in horticultural systems begins with the early stages of crop establishment during propagation, and carries through to postharvest grading, packing and storage so that the entire production chain has a lowered risk of microbial or other contamination. A significant part of control over sanitation includes the safe and effective disposal of wastewater, organic material and other refuse created during crop production and processing. Reducing waste and optimising waste management provides an economic advantage to a horticultural operation, often lowering the cost of disposal; it also protects the environment. Excessive and uncontrolled waste that is disposed of using inappropriate methods poses a risk to staff and public health, and may contaminate soil, water, air and have an ongoing effect on wildlife and natural ecosystems.

scholarly journals Green Technology: Bacteria-Based Approach Could Lead to Unsuspected Microbe–Plant–Animal Interactions

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Bulgari ◽  
Matteo Montagna ◽  
Emanuela Gobbi ◽  
Franco Faoro
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Plant Pathogens ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Control Plant ◽  
Green Technology ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Green Technologies ◽  
Plant Animal Interactions ◽  
Living Organisms

The recent and massive revival of green strategies to control plant diseases, mainly as a consequence of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) rules issued in 2009 by the European Community and the increased consumer awareness of organic products, poses new challenges for human health and food security that need to be addressed in the near future. One of the most important green technologies is biocontrol. This approach is based on living organisms and how these biocontrol agents (BCAs) directly or indirectly interact as a community to control plant pathogens and pest. Although most BCAs have been isolated from plant microbiomes, they share some genomic features, virulence factors, and trans-kingdom infection abilities with human pathogenic microorganisms, thus, their potential impact on human health should be addressed. This evidence, in combination with the outbreaks of human infections associated with consumption of raw fruits and vegetables, opens new questions regarding the role of plants in the human pathogen infection cycle. Moreover, whether BCAs could alter the endophytic bacterial community, thereby leading to the development of new potential human pathogens, is still unclear. In this review, all these issues are debated, highlighting that the research on BCAs and their formulation should include these possible long-lasting consequences of their massive spread in the environment.

Food Safety on the Farm: Good Agricultural Practices and Good Handling Practices – Packing Operation Sanitation

EDIS ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesscia A. Lepper ◽  
Aswathy Sreedharan ◽  
Renée Goodrich Schneider ◽  
Keith R. Schneider
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Good Agricultural Practices ◽  
Produce Safety ◽  
Foreign Countries ◽  
Safety Rule ◽  
Handling Practices ◽  
Voluntary Program ◽  
Federal Guidelines

Good agricultural practices (GAPs) and good handling practices (GHPs) encompass the general procedures that growers, packers and processors of fresh fruits and vegetables should follow to ensure the safety of their product. GAPs usually deal with preharvest practices (i.e., in the field), while GHPs cover postharvest practices, including packing, storage and shipping. This factsheet covers GAPs relating to packing operation sanitation. There are seven other Florida Cooperative Extension factsheets in the ‘Food Safety on the Farm’ series that focus on specific aspects of the GAPs program and how they relate to Florida crops and practices. Under the new Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), GAPs are a foundation of the Produce Safety Rule (PSR). Other than for round tomatoes in Florida (T-GAPs regulation), GAPs have mainly been a voluntary program. Additionally the PSR mandates all non-exempt operations to follow these new FSMA federal guidelines (6), but all exempt commodities and for those producers exporting to foreign countries, GAPs may still be required. Both the mandatory PSR and GAPs aim to reduce the foodborne illness burden associated with produce.

Comparative Advantage of Using Biopesticides in Ukrainian Agroecosystems

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasrat Arjjumend ◽  
Konstantia Koutouki ◽  
Olga Donets
Keyword(s):  
Shelf Life ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Plant Protection ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Soil Biology ◽  
Chemical Contamination ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Irreversible Damage

The use of unsustainable levels of chemical fertilizers and plant protection chemicals has resulted in a steady decline in soil and crop productivity the world over. Soil biology has undergone irreversible damage, coupled with a high concentration of toxic chemical residues in plant tissues and human bodies. Agricultural practices must evolve to sustainably meet the growing global demand for food without irreversibly damaging soil. Microbial biocontrol agents have tremendous potential to bring sustainability to agriculture in a way that is safe for the environment. Biopesticides do not kill non-target insects, and biosafety is ensured because biopesticides act as antidotes and do not lead to chemical contamination in the soil. This article is part of a larger study conducted in Ukraine by researchers at the Université de Montréal with the support of Mitacs and Earth Alive Clean Technologies. The responses of farmers who use biofertilizers (“user farmers”) and those who do not (“non-user farmers”), along with the responses of manufacturers or suppliers of biofertilizers, and research and development (R&D) scientists are captured to demonstrate the advantages of applying microbial biopesticides to field crops. Participants reported a 15-30% increase in yields and crop production after the application of biopesticides. With the use of biopesticides, farmers cultivated better quality fruits, grains, and tubers with a longer shelf life. Moreover, while the risk of crop loss remains high (60-70%) with chemically grown crops, this risk is reduced to 33% on average if crops are grown using biopesticides. The findings indicate that a large proportion of farmers would prefer to use biopesticides if they are effective and high quality products. In this context, the quality and effectiveness of products is therefore very important. Despite their benefits to soil, human health, and ecosystems, biopesticides face significant challenges and competition vis-à-vis synthetic pesticides for a variety of reasons. Therefore, the development of biopesticides must overcome the problems of poor quality products, short shelf life, delayed action, high market costs, and legal/registration issues.

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