**1. Introduction**

India is the second-largest producer of vegetables in the world after China, and shares about 16% of global vegetable production [1]. Processed vegetables have been exported at a compounded annual growth rate in the volume of 16% and in value of 25% [2, 3]. Vegetables have a significant role in enhancing farm income,

sustainable global food as well as nutritional security. Vegetables suffer from several fungal and bacterial postharvest diseases [4–6]. Postharvest losses in vegetables are reported up to 30–40% owing to poor postharvest practices [7].

Fungicide is commonly applied for post-harvest disease control. Hot air, curing and hot-water brushing reduces disease incidence and increases the efficacy of antagonists. Biocontrol agents and botanicals may also reduce the amount of fungicide frequently used in postharvest disease management. Biocontrol of postharvest diseases of vegetable crops has great potential under storage conditions and biological products/biopesticides are available in the market. The biopesticides Ecogen US (Aspire™), Azotobactor (Bio-Save™), and Anchor (Yield Plus™) are involved to combine products with a low level of fungicide and salt solutions (calcium chloride or sodium bicarbonate @ 1–2%) and other food additives to improve efficacy against postharvest diseases. EcoSMART formulation based on rosemary oil, viz. EcoTrol™, Sporan™ (fungicide) and eugenol oil formulation Mataran™ (weedicides) are recognized as safe plant protectants. Therefore, the postharvest application of eco-friendly control methods may be exploited to manage the disease of vegetables.
