Efficacy of biofumigation with essential oils in the control of postharvest rots of nectarines

Nectarines can be affected by many postharvest diseases, leading to production losses. Natural are promising alternatives to pesticides to control storage rots. In this work, the efficacy of biofumigation of essential oils (EOs) through slow-release diffusors was assessed to control postharvest rots of nectarines. A screening test was set up by treating fruits inoculated with Monilinia fructicola with EOs of red thyme, fennel, basil, oregano and lemon. Fennel, basil and lemon EOs exhibited the greatest inhibition activity at the end of storage and were selected for setting up a semi-commercial trial, where nectarines were not inoculated. At the end of the storage, all treatments showed a significant rot incidence reduction compared to the control. Quality analyses showed that biofumigation with EOs did non affect nectarine firmness, total soluble solids and titratable acidity. Metabarcoding was used to evaluate the effect of treatments on the nectarine microbiome. The abundance of some fungal genera were modified. Treatments were able to reduce the abundance of Monilinia spp. at the epiphytic level, especially in shelf-life. However, basil EO seems to favour the presence of Penicillium spp. during shelf-life. Results obtained provide new insights for the development of sustainable strategies for the management of postharvest diseases and the reduction of production losses.