title: Evaluation of yeasts obtained from Antarctic soil samples as biocontrol agents for the management of postharvest diseases of apple (Malus × domestica).
abstract: Psychrotrophic yeasts were isolated from Antarctic soils, selected based on their ability to grow in apple juice at low temperatures, and were evaluated as potential biocontrol agents for the management of postharvest diseases of apple during cold storage. Among the species recovered, an isolate of Leucosporidium scottii, designated At17, was identified as a good biocontrol agent for blue and gray mold of two apple cultivars. The selected isolate produced soluble and volatile antifungal substances that were inhibitory to apple pathogens. Siderophore production was also demonstrated, but it did not appear to play a role in pathogen inhibition. The selected yeast had the capacity to form a biofilm when grown in apple juice, which is considered an important attribute of postharvest antagonists to successfully colonize wounds and intact fruit surfaces. At17 was resistant to commonly used postharvest fungicides, so application of a combination of low-dose fungicide along with the biocontrol agent could be used as an integrated management practice.
authors.affiliation: Cátedra de Microbiología, Departamento de Biociencias, Facultad de Química, UdelaR, Montevideo, Uruguay. svero@fq.edu.uy
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vero
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Garmendia
authors.forename: M Belén
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bentancur
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wisniewski
mesh_terms: D000864:Antarctic Regions; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D001487:Basidiomycota / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D027845:Malus / Q000382:microbiology*; D056265:Microbial Interactions; D010572:Pest Control, Biological / Q000379:methods*; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012988:Soil Microbiology
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents