Microbial Safety in Horticultural Production Systems

Recent advances in microbial ecology, high-throughput sequencing, multi-omics technologies, and predictive microbiology have substantially improved our understanding of microbial communities associated with horticultural production systems. These approaches have revealed that food safety is shaped not only by the presence of individual pathogens, but also by complex interactions among microorganisms, plants, agricultural practices, and environmental conditions. At the same time, increasing concerns regarding antimicrobial resistance, climate change, and the globalization of fresh produce supply chains have introduced new challenges for managing microbial risks. Addressing these emerging issues requires multidisciplinary research integrating horticultural science, food microbiology, biotechnology, environmental sciences, systems biology, and public health to develop innovative, evidence-based strategies that strengthen microbial safety from farm to consumer.This Research Topic aims to bring together multidisciplinary contributions that advance the understanding and management of microbial safety in horticultural production systems. We seek studies that bridge fundamental and applied research to identify knowledge gaps, improve our understanding of microbial behavior throughout the entire production process, and develop innovative strategies to reduce contamination risks. Emphasis is placed on emerging technologies, including omics-based approaches, predictive modeling, sustainable biocontrol strategies, and novel antimicrobial and antivirulence solutions with potential applications in horticulture. By promoting cross-disciplinary collaboration and encouraging the integration of ecological, molecular, technological, and quantitative perspectives, this Research Topic aims to accelerate the development of science-based solutions that enhance food safety, strengthen the resilience of horticultural production systems, and support sustainable agricultural practices within a One Health framework.This Research Topic welcomes Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Methods, Perspective, and Opinion articles addressing microbial safety across horticultural production systems. Contributions may include, but are not limited to:- Foodborne pathogens associated with horticultural crops- Sources, routes, and dynamics of microbial contamination- Microbial ecology and microbiomes in horticultural environments- Pathogen persistence, environmental adaptation, and biofilm formation- Virulence regulation and host–microbe interactions- Antimicrobial resistance and tolerance to sanitation practices- Preharvest and postharvest interventions for microbial risk reduction- Biological control agents and beneficial microorganisms- Natural antimicrobial and antivirulence compounds- Novel sanitation technologies, active packaging, and non-thermal processing- Genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and multi-omics approaches- Predictive microbiology and quantitative microbial risk assessment- Climate change, environmental reservoirs, and emerging microbial risks- One Health perspectives linking horticulture, environmental microbiology, and public healthInterdisciplinary studies integrating horticulture, microbiology, biotechnology, food science, environmental sciences, systems biology, and data-driven approaches are particularly encouraged. Topic editors: Francisco Javier Vazquez-Armenta, Yessica Enciso-Martínez, Bryan Ortiz Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83840/microbial-safety-in-horticultural-production-systems