Successful biocontrol of major postharvest and soil-borne plant pathogenic fungi by antagonistic yeasts

Fungal pathogens are the main biotic burden of productivity for economically important crops under field, greenhouse or postharvest conditions. The discovery and development new environmental-friendly solutions, such as application living organisms their derivatives to control plant diseases pests, enormous interest. This study presents results a mass screening designed detect yeast strains with antagonistic activity against (Alternaria alternata, Penicillium expansum Botrytis cinerea) soil-borne (Verticillium dahliae Fusarium oxysporum). In fact, this is first that focuses on potential wide variety genera (13) species (30) vascular wilts. from in vivo trials demonstrated fungal infected tomato plants, grown hydroponic soil conditions, showed significant reduction disease severity after treatment. Wickerhamomyces anomalus Wa-32 was able antagonise both reduce up 40% (V. dahliae) 50% (F. oxysporum) addition, strain became endophytic plants. features interest since no effective biocontrol product available simultaneous these two pathogens. Postharvest assays wounded fruits several displayed very high levels P. B. cinerea (up 86 97% severity, respectively) but none them protection A. alternata. best again achieved W. Metschnikowia pulcherrima (Mp-22 Mp-30). However, were Candida lusitaniae Cl-28, oleophila Co-13, Debaryomyces hansenii Dh-67 Hypopichia pseudoburtonii Hp-54. These effects also grapes apples.