ARS | Publication request: Cystofilobasidium infirmominiatum as a biocontrol agent of postharvest diseases of apple and citrus

Submitted to: Acta Horticulturae
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: July 15, 2011
Publication Date: August 31, 2011
Citation: Vero, S., Garmendia, G., Garat, M.F., Wisniewski, M.E. 2011. Cystofilobasidium infirmominiatum as a biocontrol agent of postharvest diseases of apple and citrus. Acta Horticulturae. 905:169-180.

Technical Abstract: Two psycrotrophic yeasts isolated from the surface of lemons have been selected as biocontrol agents of the most common postharvest diseases of apples and citrus that develops during cold storage. The biocontrol yeasts were identified as Cystofilobasidium infirmominiatum and Leucosporidium scottii. Both yeasts were resistant to three of the fungicides most frequently used in postharvest applications so a combination of the antagonists with a fungicide could be used as part of an integrated management practice. However, the growth of both was affected by the presence of chitosan so this combination of treatments would be counter-productive. The mode of action of both antagonists was investigated but not definitively identified. Nitrogen competition seemed to play an important role but further studies will be required to obtain conclusive evidence.