Advancing Blueberry Postharvest Management: A Paradigm Shift From Pathogen Killing to Niche Occupancy

Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) are a high-value horticultural crop prized for their nutritional properties, particularly their high content of bioactive compounds such as anthocyanins and flavonoids, which confer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. However, their thin epidermis makes them highly susceptible to postharvest infections under humid conditions, with diseases caused by Botrytis cinerea and Colletotrichum spp. accounting for 20%-50% of total losses. Conventional chemical and cold storage strategies are increasingly constrained by resistance development, chemical residues, and limited efficacy. Here, we propose a fundamental paradigm shift from a pathogen-centric "killing" to niche occupancy. To establish this framework, we first categorize major postharvest pathogens into three infection types, namely, wound-dependent, direct-penetration, and latent or systemic infections, and analyze how they exploit fruit surface vulnerabilities. We then evaluate conventional physical, chemical, and biological control methods, revealing their common failure to disrupt niche equilibrium. On this basis, we synthesize three synergistic strategies for achieving durable niche occupancy: microbial competition using antagonistic consortia that pre-emptively colonize wound sites; niche engineering via nanotechnology and edible coatings that physically and chemically modify the microenvironment; and host-mediated niche modulation through induced resistance that alters the chemical landscape of the fruit. Integrated application of these strategies has been shown to reduce disease incidence by 40%-60% and extend shelf life by 5-20 days under commercial storage conditions, depending on cultivar and storage regime. By synthesizing interdisciplinary advances, this review provides a theoretical framework for developing precise, eco-friendly, and intelligent blueberry postharvest management systems that reduce losses, maintain fruit quality, and promote the long-term sustainability of the blueberry industry.