Siderophores Mediated Iron Acquisition and Virulence of Brown Rot Disease in Stone Fruits Caused by Monilinia fructicola in Jammu and Kashmir

Fresh fruits and vegetables are considered essential for health as they provide all essential dietary supplements. Post-harvest damage prevention of these commodities is a matter of concern as it has lot of economic implications, both at producer and consumer level. It also affects the availability of raw material and products based on these items, especially in developing countries. The statistics has revealed that post-harvest fruit and vegetable damage can reach to very high values, representing over 25% of total production in industrialized countries and over 50% in developing countries. A variety of biotic agents are responsible for this damage to fruit and vegetable items. One major damaging group of organisms is fungus. Many strategies are being followed world over to control these organisms. The control of fungal phytopathogens is carried out through the application of synthetic fungicides. However, their continuous and consistent use has led to environment problems and are becoming health hazards for humans and animals. As a consequence, the worldwide trend of consumers to buy agricultural products that come from systems without application of synthetic products has started growing rapidly.