Biological control of postharvest diseases in pome fruits using endophytic microorganisms: Innovative sustainable strategies for greater food security

Abstract

Postharvest diseases cause significant losses in pome fruit production (5–50%), and growing pathogen resistance to synthetic fungicides demands sustainable alternatives. Endophytic microorganisms offer promising biological control, employing diverse antagonistic mechanisms. A systematic literature review of 25 peer-reviewed articles (1996–2025) identified key bacterial genera (Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Pantoea) and fungal endophytes (Aureobasidium, Metschnikowia) as effective biocontrol agents. These microorganisms achieve 50–85% disease reduction through nutrient competition, antimicrobial metabolite secretion (lipopeptides), and host immune system activation—performance comparable to commercial biocontrol products. However, critical research gaps persist in formulation optimization, scalability validation, industry-standard protocol integration, and expanded host species coverage (pears, kiwifruit). Developing robust delivery systems remains an essential priority. Endophytic microorganisms represent a sustainable approach to reduce chemical inputs while enhancing food security and supply chain resilience.