Fungal spoilage is a major factor that causes post-harvest deterioration of vegetables. Botrytis cinerea, the causative agent of gray mold, and Alternaria brassicicola, the causative agent of black spot disease in Brassica crops commonly spoil stored vegetables. To mitigate spoilage, modified atmosphere packaging can be used for vegetable storage. The symptoms of fungal spoilage are well known, but the molecular basis of plant disease resistance remains poorly understood. We propose to combine molecular plant biology and food science to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of post-harvest fungal resistance in plants. Arabidopsis thaliana and kale (Brassica oleracea convar. acephala) will be used as model and crop plant species. The research methods will include biochemical analyses and infection studies with B. cinerea and A. brassicicola under modified atmosphere packaging. The results will provide prospects for improving storage practices and the post-harvest quality of leafy greens.

2025

2029