Application of -omic technologies in postharvest pathology: recent advances and perspectives

Fungal pathogens, the causative agents of postharvest decay and mycotoxin contamination in a fruit, are major threats to food quality and safety worldwide. Control of postharvest decay is a significant challenge because of the limited availability of management options. -Omic technologies based on highthroughput sequencing have provided a powerful research tool for understanding complex pathological processes, which can then be used for the development of innovative control strategies. This review provides an overview of the use of -omic technologies that have been used to investigate pathogens and their interactions with fruit and with other microorganisms, and also highlights research questions that still need to be addressed to fully understand the biology of postharvest diseases and the development of new, safe and effective methods of control.