Inhibitory effect of Pichia membranaefaciens and Kloeckera apiculata against Monilinia fructicola and their biocontrol ability of brown rot in postharvest plum

Publication date: Available online 24 July 2017 Source:Biological Control Author(s): Jie Zhang, Jiao Xie, Yahan Zhou, Lili Deng, Shixiang Yao, Kaifang Zeng The use of antagonistic yeasts to control postharvest pathogens is a promising alternative to fungicides. The effect of the yeast antagonists Pichia membranaefaciens and Kloeckera apiculata for controlling brown rot of plums in postharvest and the antifungal activity of the two yeast strains in in vitro conditions against Monilinia fructicola were investigated. In in vivo trials, both P. membranaefaciens and K. apiculata showed a significant reduction of rot incidence produced by M. fructicola by 76.0% and 65.8%, respectively. In in vitro trials, spore germination and mycelial growth of M. fructicola were markedly inhibited by P. membranaefaciens and K. apiculata. In addition, the two antagonistic yeasts, especially K. apiculata, had attachment to the hyphae of M. fructicola. Moreover, P. membranaefaciens and K. apiculata secreted hydrolytic enzymes, such as chitinase (CHI) and β-1, 3-glucanase (GLU). According to these results, P. membranaefaciens and K. apiculata might have the ability to parasitize M. fructicola. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by P. membranaefaciens and K. apiculata had a significant inhibitory effect on M. fructicola in vitro and in vivo. VOCs in a simultaneous incubation (SI) trial showed the best inhibition. Graphical abstract
Source: Biological Control - Category: Biology Source Type: research