Alternative technologies to control postharvest diseases of kiwifruit

The review deals with alternative technologies to conventional synthetic fungicides to control postharvest diseases. Prolonged and intensive use of these fungicides raises concerns regarding the safety of their residues in fruit and has caused the emergence of fungicide resistant pathogen strains. Alternative treatments were investigated, such as hot water, biological control agents (BCAs), and natural substances. Kiwifruit production is economically important in many parts of the world, but little is known about of controlling its postharvest diseases. Many fungi cause postharvest rot of kiwifruit, and their occurrence varies among the production areas. Ripe-rot caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea and stem-end rot caused by Diaporthe actinidiae prevail in New Zealand, while stem-end rot caused by Botrytis cinerea is the most important postharvest disease of the kiwifruit cultivated in Europe and USA, while in these regions skin pitting by Cadophora luteo-olivacea Mucor rot caused by Mucor piriformis are less important. In terms of control technique, curing, which is a delay between harvesting and cool storage of fruit, remains an important and safe tool to reduce postharvest losses, but improvements in it are needed. Innovative non-chemical treatments include hot water dipping (45°C for 10 min) for controlling several diseases which has received commercial attention. The application of BCA following curing 96 h was demonstrated to be effective against B. cinerea. Some natural compounds controlled grey mould well in artificially and naturally infected fruit.