Open AccessThe potential of plant microbiota in reducing postharvest food loss
Author(s) -
Buchholz Franziska,
Kostić Tanja,
Sessitsch Angela,
Mitter Birgit
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
microbial biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.287
H-Index - 74
ISSN - 1751-7915
DOI - 10.1111/1751-7915.13252
Subject(s) - postharvest , food spoilage , crop , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , agronomy , horticulture , bacteria , genetics
Summary The role of the plant microbiota in plant establishment, growth and health is well studied, but the dynamics of postharvest crop microbiota and its role in postharvest crop quality are largely unexplored, although food loss is an enormous issue worldwide. The microbiota might be especially important during crop storage by either preventing or favouring rots, or quality loss due to, for example, sprouting, saccharification, water loss or spoilage. We need more research on plant–microbe interactions in postharvest crops to be in future able to provide microbial solutions for plant production along the whole food chain from field to fork.