New Focus on Postharvest Pathology

Editors:　Varit Srilaong¹, 

Preface
  The global horticultural industry is currently facing unprecedented challenges associated with climate change, postharvest losses, food security, sustainability, and increasing consumer demand for high-quality fresh produce. Advances in horticultural science and technology therefore play a crucial role in improving crop productivity, quality maintenance, postharvest management, and value-chain sustainability.
  Postharvest diseases remain one of the major constraints affecting the quality, marketability, and shelf life of fresh horticultural commodities worldwide. Significant postharvest losses caused by fungal and bacterial pathogens not only reduce economic value across the supply chain, but also contribute to food waste and threaten global food security. In recent years, increasing concerns regarding sustainable agriculture, food safety, and reduced chemical usage have accelerated research efforts into innovative approaches for postharvest disease management.
  This Hort New Focus, entitled “Postharvest Pathology”, aims to provide an international platform for presenting recent advances in the understanding and management of postharvest diseases in horticultural crops. The articles published in this topic highlight emerging technologies and interdisciplinary approaches for improving postharvest disease management. Several contributions focus on environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic fungicides, including physical treatments, natural compounds and advanced preservation technologies. In addition, studies addressing postharvest physiology, storage environments, and quality maintenance provide valuable insights into integrated approaches for extending shelf life while minimizing disease incidence.

Editors’ Affiliation
¹ AgriScience and Technology Program, School of Bioresources and Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi