Enhancing biological control of postharvest green mold in lemons: Synergistic efficacy of native yeasts with diverse mechanisms of action

by Martina Mar ía Pereyra, Mariana Andrea Díaz, Silvana Vero, Julián Rafael Dib Argentina is among the most important lemon fruit producers in the world.Penicillium digitatum is the primary lemon fungal phytopathogen, causing green mold during the postharvest. Several alternatives to the use of synthetic fungicides have been developed, being the use of biocontrol yeasts one of the most promising. Although many of the reports are based on the use of a single yeast species, it has been shown that the combination of agents with different mechanisms of action can increase control efficiency through synergistic effects. The combined use of native yeasts with different mechanisms of action had not been studied as a biological control strategy in lemons. In this work, the mechanisms of action of native yeasts (Clavispora lusitaniae AgL21,Clavispora lusitaniae AgL2 andClavispora lusitaniae AcL2) with biocontrol activity againstP.digitatum were evaluated. Isolate AgL21 was selected for its ability to form biofilm, colonize lemon wounds, and inhibit fungal spore germination. The compatibility ofC.lusitaniae AgL21 with two killer yeasts of the speciesKazachstania exigua (AcL4 and AcL8) was evaluated.In vivo assays were then carried out with the yeasts applied individually or mixed in equal cell concentrations. AgL21 alone was able to control green mold with 87.5% efficiency, while individual killer yeasts were significantly less efficient (43.3% and 38.3%, respectively). Inhibitory ...
Source: PLoS One - Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Source Type: research