Non-Chemical Approaches to Control Postharvest Gray Mold Disease in Bell Peppers

Bell pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i>) is a widely grown vegetable crop that is nutritious and flavorful and economically important for growers worldwide. A significant limiting factor in the postharvest storage and long-distance transport of peppers is gray mold caused by <i>Botryti...

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Main Authors: Charles Krasnow, Carmit Ziv
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-01-01
Series:Agronomy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/12/1/216
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author Charles Krasnow
Carmit Ziv
author_facet Charles Krasnow
Carmit Ziv
author_sort Charles Krasnow
collection DOAJ
description Bell pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i>) is a widely grown vegetable crop that is nutritious and flavorful and economically important for growers worldwide. A significant limiting factor in the postharvest storage and long-distance transport of peppers is gray mold caused by <i>Botrytis cinerea</i>. The pathogen is widespread in nature, highly aggressive, and able to cause disease at cool refrigerated temperatures during transport and storage. Fungicides have been relied on in the past to reduce bell pepper rots in storage; however, concern over residues on the fruit and environmental degradation have heightened the importance of natural and generally recognized as safe (GRAS) solutions that effectively limit disease. Essential oils, plant extracts, inorganic chemicals, biocontrols, defense activators, hot water treatments, and modified storage conditions have been tested to reduce losses from gray mold. Despite significant amounts of research on natural methods of control of <i>B. cinerea</i> postharvest, research specific to gray mold in peppers is limited. The objective of this review is to summarize the research conducted with environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical fungicides to control this important pathogen of peppers postharvest. To ensure a steady supply of healthy and nutritious produce, more research is needed on the development, use, and application of non-hazardous <i>Botrytis</i> control methods. Until an effective solution is found, using a combined approach including environmental controls, sanitation, and GRAS products remain paramount to limit Botrytis fruit rot of peppers postharvest.
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spelling doaj.art-aca6f94eea6141a1a9d30a43521bbe8c2023-11-23T12:40:10ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952022-01-0112121610.3390/agronomy12010216Non-Chemical Approaches to Control Postharvest Gray Mold Disease in Bell PeppersCharles Krasnow0Carmit Ziv1Department of Postharvest Science, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Institute, Rishon LeZion 7505101, IsraelDepartment of Postharvest Science, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Institute, Rishon LeZion 7505101, IsraelBell pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i>) is a widely grown vegetable crop that is nutritious and flavorful and economically important for growers worldwide. A significant limiting factor in the postharvest storage and long-distance transport of peppers is gray mold caused by <i>Botrytis cinerea</i>. The pathogen is widespread in nature, highly aggressive, and able to cause disease at cool refrigerated temperatures during transport and storage. Fungicides have been relied on in the past to reduce bell pepper rots in storage; however, concern over residues on the fruit and environmental degradation have heightened the importance of natural and generally recognized as safe (GRAS) solutions that effectively limit disease. Essential oils, plant extracts, inorganic chemicals, biocontrols, defense activators, hot water treatments, and modified storage conditions have been tested to reduce losses from gray mold. Despite significant amounts of research on natural methods of control of <i>B. cinerea</i> postharvest, research specific to gray mold in peppers is limited. The objective of this review is to summarize the research conducted with environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical fungicides to control this important pathogen of peppers postharvest. To ensure a steady supply of healthy and nutritious produce, more research is needed on the development, use, and application of non-hazardous <i>Botrytis</i> control methods. Until an effective solution is found, using a combined approach including environmental controls, sanitation, and GRAS products remain paramount to limit Botrytis fruit rot of peppers postharvest.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/12/1/216postharvestsolanaceaeintegrated pest managementfungicidesGRASbiological control
spellingShingle Charles Krasnow
Carmit Ziv
Non-Chemical Approaches to Control Postharvest Gray Mold Disease in Bell Peppers
Agronomy
postharvest
solanaceae
integrated pest management
fungicides
GRAS
biological control
title Non-Chemical Approaches to Control Postharvest Gray Mold Disease in Bell Peppers
title_full Non-Chemical Approaches to Control Postharvest Gray Mold Disease in Bell Peppers
title_fullStr Non-Chemical Approaches to Control Postharvest Gray Mold Disease in Bell Peppers
title_full_unstemmed Non-Chemical Approaches to Control Postharvest Gray Mold Disease in Bell Peppers
title_short Non-Chemical Approaches to Control Postharvest Gray Mold Disease in Bell Peppers
title_sort non chemical approaches to control postharvest gray mold disease in bell peppers
topic postharvest
solanaceae
integrated pest management
fungicides
GRAS
biological control
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/12/1/216
work_keys_str_mv AT charleskrasnow nonchemicalapproachestocontrolpostharvestgraymolddiseaseinbellpeppers
AT carmitziv nonchemicalapproachestocontrolpostharvestgraymolddiseaseinbellpeppers