The fruit growing industry represents a significant part of the global economy valued at approximately $551.1B, however up to 40% of fruit crops can be lost to diseases each year. Fruit diseases pose significant challenges to global agriculture, affecting both yield and quality. Among the most devastating are Botrytis cinerea, which leads to grey mold in a wide variety of fruits; citrus greening, or Huanglongbing, caused by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus; and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp cubense Tropical race 4 (TR4) that infects a wide variety of banana cultivars.
In recent years, significant advancements have been made in biocontrol methods, offering promising alternatives for managing fruit diseases more effectively and sustainably. This article highlights some of the key innovative developments in this area.
Gene Editing for Disease Resistance
Earlier this year, a genetically modified banana was approved for cultivation on farms for the first time. The banana is a strain of the Cavendish banana, altered to be resistant to TR4, a devastating fungal disease that is threatening banana populations worldwide (1).
Similarly, researchers in Costa Rica are also working to release a disease-resistant banana variety, which will be the country’s first-genome edited product. The banana would offer resistance to Black Sigatoka and Fusarium wilt, diseases that reduce yield and profitability for growers worldwide (2).
RNA Interference (RNAi)
RNAi is a promising technique where double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is used to silence specific genes in pathogens, preventing them from causing disease. Numerous proof-of-concept studies have demonstrated the potential of RNAi to control pathogens like Botrytis cinerea, one of the most damaging fungal pathogens that affects a wide variety of fruits. However, there are a lack of disease control experiments that have been carried out directly in the field. The process is not currently cost-effective, and the efficacy has not been directly evaluated against modern synthetic fungicides. RNAi-based fungicides are expected to be approved soon, although they still have several hurdles to overcome before reaching the market (3).
Nanoparticle-Enhanced Biopesticides
The integration of nanoparticles with biopesticides is another notable innovation that shows promise for disease management in fruits. Nanopesticides provide several benefits such as increased efficiency, precise targeting, and decreased environmental contamination. Various nanoparticles, such as zinc oxide, copper, and silver, have demonstrated significant antimicrobial properties (4).
Green synthesis is a newly emerging field of nanobiotechnology that uses lant-extract based methods for synthesizing nanoparticles. The process is non-toxic, low-cost, and profitable, offering economic and environmental advantages over traditional chemical and physical protocols. Potential applications include:
Green synthesis of silver and copper nanoparticles from leaves of Eucalyptus globulus have demonstrated significant antibacterial potential towards Xanthomonas citri pv. citri, the causal agent of citrus canker (5).
Nano-biopesticides formulated with chitosan nanoparticles from the leaves of Pelargonium graveolens have shown efficacy in controlling Botrytis cinerea in strawberries by enhancing antifungal activity and inducing plant resistance mechanisms (6).
Phylogenic silver nanoparticles synthesized using Moringa oleifera were investigated. as a potential management method for citrus greening caused by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in citrus plants. Results demonstrated increases in photosynthetic capacity, total sugars, and other fruit quality indices (7).
Phage Therapy for Bacterial Diseases
Bacteriophages, viruses that infect and kill bacteria, have gained attention as a biocontrol method for bacterial fruit diseases. One example is the application of phage therapy to manage fire blight, caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora, in apple and pear orchards. Researchers have developed bacteriophage cocktails that target Erwinia amylovora, consisting of multiple phages that can infect and lyse the bacterial cells. A recent study demonstrated that a bacteriophage cocktail exhibited significant synergistic effects in inhibiting bacterial growth and controlling disease in immature apples and in vitro apple plantlets (8).
Recent advancements in biocontrol methods offer promising solutions for managing important fruit diseases that threaten global agriculture. Innovations such as gene editing, RNA interference (RNAi), nanoparticle-enhanced biopesticides, and phage therapy are paving the way for more effective and sustainable disease management strategies. These technologies not only enhance resistance in crops but also reduce the reliance on traditional chemical pesticides, promoting a more environmentally friendly approach to agriculture. As these biocontrol methods continue to develop and overcome existing challenges, they hold the potential to significantly transform the management of fruit diseases worldwide.
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