Pathogenic and beneficial microbial communities determine the shelf life of stored 'Fengtangli' plums

Abstract

Fungal decay significantly contributes to postharvest fruit losses, influenced by the interaction between fruit and its microbiota. Despite their susceptibility to spoilage, plums have been underexplored in terms of microbial communities during storage. This study shows that while the diversity of endophytic microbes remains stable, epiphytic diversity decreases over time. Major pathogens identified in plums stored at room temperature include Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Diaporthe spp., Botryosphaeria dothidea, Pseudomonas oryzihabitans, and Pantoea spp. After refrigeration, human pathogens such as Streptococcus varani and Bacteroides spp. were detected. Beneficial microbes from genera like Aureobasidium, Marinomonas, Pantoea, Pseudomonas, Novosphingobium and Sphingomonas may extend plum shelf life by suppressing pathogen growth. Metagenomic analysis revealed antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in both endophytic and epiphytic communities, predominantly within the Pseudomonadota phylum. These findings provide insights for microbiome-based strategies to mitigate postharvest diseases in plums and other stone fruit.

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