Spatial and Compositional Diversity in the Microbiota of Harvested Fruits: What Can It Tell Us About Biological Control of Postharvest Diseases

Michael Wisniewski, Samir Droby, Ahmed Abdelfattah, Jia Liu, Susan Whitehead, Shiri Freilich , Christopher Dardick

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Accumulating evidence indicates that the composition of the microbiota inhabiting an organism (both endo- and epiphytically) can have a profound effect on host physiology and defense responses. The role of the microbiota in plant health and physiology, however, is poorly understood, and few studies have focused on temperate fruit trees. A global effort is underway to characterize the endophytic and epiphytic microbiome of apple fruit with the goal of developing a microbial consortium for the management of a wide range of postharvest diseases, and potentially physiological disorders. Spatial studies of the microbiota of apple peel, calyx-end, stem-end, and pulp tissues have revealed distinct compositional differences, as well as differences between organic and conventional management systems. Other studies have indicated a distinct genotype effect on defining the endophytic microbiota in apple shoots. These data suggest that apple pedigree influences the composition of the endophytic microbiota and that the host and microbiome have co-evolved to some extent, as suggested in the holobiont concept. The implications of greater knowledge of the apple microbiome on disease and cultural management strategies, cultivar breeding, and abiotic stress resistance, are discussed
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPostharvest Pathology
Subtitle of host publicationNext Generation Solutions to Reducing Losses and Enhancing Safety
EditorsDavide Spadaro , Samir Droby, M.L. Gullino
Place of PublicationCham
PublisherSpringer
Pages63-72
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-030-56530-5
ISBN (Print)978-3-030-56529-9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Publication series

Name Plant Pathology in the 21st Century
Volume11

Cite this