Quorum quenching, lactic acid bacteria and microencapsulation as emerging and promising strategies to mitigate tomato...

Bacterial soft rot caused by Pectobacterium spp. and Dickeya spp, represents a major challenge in tomato production, leading to significant pre- and postharvest losses worldwide. Conventional control strategies are largely based on physical, environmental and chemical measures; however, their effectiveness is often limited by resistance development, environmental concerns, and increasing regulatory restrictions. This review critically examines current and emerging strategies to mitigate tomato soft rot, including biological control, advanced targeted and integrated technologies. While certain strategies (RNAi, UV-C, nanotechnology, and breeding) are discussed concisely, particular attention is given to quorum quenching (QQ) as an anti-virulence strategy targeting bacterial communication systems (quorum sensing), as well as to lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and formulation technologies as the most promising directions. Recent literature indicates that LAB have been evaluated in a moderate number of studies, including numerous in vitro assays and a smaller set of in vivo experiments on detached fruits and in greenhouse systems, where they exhibit antagonistic activity against soft rot pathogens. Reported mechanisms include the production of antimicrobial metabolites, competitive exclusion, and quorum sensing interference. However, existing reviews tend to address these strategies separately, while field-scale evidence and the integration of practical delivery systems remain limited. This review provides a focused and integrative perspective on the combined application of QQ, LAB, and microencapsulation technologies for the mitigation of tomato soft rot. Special attention is given to the emerging role of LAB as potential quorum quenching agents, the limitations associated with their stability and field performance, and the potential of microencapsulation to enhance their viability, enable controlled release, and improve overall efficacy. The proposed integrative framework offers new insights into the development of sustainable and application-oriented biocontrol solutions for soft rot pathogens.