BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF POST HARVEST FRUIT DISEASES USING ANTAGONISTIC YEASTS IN INDIA
V.Y. Zhimo, D.D. Bhutia, J. Saha
doi: 10.4454/JPP.V98I2.026
Abstract:
Significant losses in harvested fruits are directly attributable to decaying fungi. Biological control using microbial agents including yeasts has been reported among several alternatives to the use of synthetic chemical fungicides for managing postharvest fruit decay. Twenty nine yeasts were isolated from different sources and among the isolates, YZ 1, YZ 7 and YZ 27 showed broad spectrum of antagonistic activity (mycelial growth inhibition) against the test pathogens in vitro which were identified by molecular methods as Candida tropicalis YZ 1 (CtYZ 1), Saccharomyces cerevisiae YZ 7 (ScYZ 7) and C. tropicalis YZ 27 (CtYZ 27). Application of CtYZ 1, ScYZ 7 and CtYZ 27 (1-4 X 108 CFU ml-1) significantly reduced the mean lesion diameter of wounds on banana artificially inoculated with C. musae by 85.5%, 88.7% and 91.9% respectively as compared to 75.8% in fungicide (Carbendazim 1.0 g l-1) treated fruits over control at 4 days after storage at ambient condition. All the three yeasts also significantly reduced the latent natural decays caused by fungal pathogens on banana, litchi and strawberry fruits. The findings of this study could be elaborated and explored in management of post harvest diseases of fruits as an alternative to synthetic fungicides.
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