NZJCHS Call for Papers: Special Issue on Advances in Postharvest Biocontrol Strategies for Fruit Diseases

Scope and Topics

The postharvest period is crucial for maintaining fruit quality and safety, yet it is often threatened by fungal diseases that can cause significant economic losses and pose health risks due to mycotoxin contamination. Traditional chemical treatments, while commonly used, raise concerns about residues, pathogen resistance, and environmental impact. As a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative, biocontrol strategies offer a promising solution, promoting sustainability and reducing reliance on chemicals.

This special issue, Advances in Postharvest Biocontrol Strategies for Fruit Diseases, will highlight the latest research and developments in this dynamic field. We welcome contributions that explore:

• Integrated Approaches: Combining biocontrol agents with other postharvest treatments, such as temperature management, UV light, and modified atmospheres, to enhance treatment efficacy and extend fruit shelf-life. This includes research on the practical aspects of formulating, delivering, and scaling up biocontrol agents for commercial postharvest management.
• New Biocontrol Agents: Discovering and applying novel microorganisms or natural products as biocontrol agents. Studies may focus on exploring biodiversity for new sources of biocontrol agents and testing their effectiveness against various postharvest pathogens.
• Mechanism of Action: Investigating the molecular and physiological mechanisms by which biocontrol agents suppress fruit pathogens. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for optimizing the use of biocontrol agents and improving their efficacy.
• Field to Market Applications: Real-world applications and efficacy of biocontrol agents from field trials to commercial implementation. This includes examining the regulatory and safety considerations, as well as the economic aspects of implementing biocontrol strategies in postharvest management.
• Sustainability and Environmental Impact: Evaluating the environmental benefits of biocontrol strategies compared to traditional chemical treatments. Research may assess the reduction in chemical residues, resistance development, and overall ecological impact.

We invite original research articles, reviews, and case studies that cover these topics, including field trials demonstrating successful biocontrol interventions, innovations in monitoring and predicting postharvest disease outbreaks, and studies on the economic and environmental impact of biocontrol strategies.
 

Submission Information

Please send a preliminary title, indicative author list and a short descriptive paragraph outlining the scope of your proposed manuscript to Managing Guest Editor, Associate Professor Qiya Yang at yangqiya1118@163.com by 30 September 2024. Your Expressions of Interest will be considered by the guest editor team. 

Authors will be notified of the result and formally invited for full submission by 31 October 2024, while the final submission deadline is 31 May 2025, with the aim of getting the special issue formally published in early 2026. Individual articles will be published online with a DOI before they appear in the special issue.

Acceptance for publication will depend on the outcome of the rigorous peer review process and authors meeting critical time schedules. It is important that your manuscript is prepared according to the Instructions for Authors of the New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science. Manuscripts should be submitted online through the journal’s submission system. Authors should select the special issue title "Advances in Postharvest Biocontrol Strategies for Fruit Diseases" during the submission process.

There are no page charges or publication fees under the traditional subscription-based publishing model. Additionally, authors affiliated with any of the 42 universities in Australia and New Zealand or a growing range of global institutions, may be eligible to publish your articles Open Access at no cost to yourself.

Important Dates

Expression of Interest deadline: 30 September 2024
Submission Deadline: 31 May 2025
Final Manuscript accepted by: 31 January 2026
Publication Date: March 2026
 

The guest editor team comprises Associate Professor Qiya Yang, Associate Professor Dhanasekaran Solairaj (Jiangsu University, China) and Professor Huali Xue (Gansu Agricultural University, China)

For any inquiries regarding the special issue, please contact the guest editors via email at yangqiya1118@163.com or solaibt@hotmail.com or xuehuali77@sina.com. We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions to this special issue and to advancing the field of postharvest biocontrol.