Impact of postharvest management practices on the microbiome of blueberry from Tucumán, Argentina

Abstract

Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) fruits harbor a unique microbiome that plays a crucial role in determiningfruit quality, shelf life, and resistance to postharvest diseases. This microbiome, characteristic of each producingregion, can be affected by various factors, including postharvest management practices. This study aimed tocharacterize the blueberry microbiome in Tucuman, ´ Argentina, and evaluate the impact of postharvest pro­cessing. High-throughput sequencing was used to characterize bacterial and fungal communities in directlyharvested blueberries (O) and commercial blueberries (C) subjected to washing, waxing, and cold storage.Directly harvested blueberries exhibited higher bacterial diversity, with ASVs associated to the genera Methyl­obacterium and Bacillus identified as potential biomarkers, highlighting their potential roles in plant health andbiocontrol. In contrast, commercial blueberries showed increased fungal diversity, including ASVs associated tocold-tolerant pathogens like Botrytis caroliniana and beneficial yeasts such as Vishniacozyma victoriae and Spor­obolomyces roseus, which may have applications in biocontrol and functional food development. This studydemonstrated that postharvest practices significantly influence microbial diversity and composition, revealingpotential microbial biomarkers that reflect regional production conditions and handling strategies. These resultsillustrate the need for microbiome-based approaches to optimize postharvest practices, balancing pathogensuppression with the promotion of beneficial microorganisms to preserve fruit quality and safety.