Native Killer Yeasts as Biocontrol Agents of Postharvest Fungal Diseases in Lemons

LUCIANA CONTRERAS; FARÍAS, MARÍA EUGENIA; JULIAN RAFAEL DIB,; NYDIA GARNICA; MILENA SEPULVEDA; NYDIA GARNICA; MILENA SEPULVEDA; MARÍA FLORENCIA PEREZ; MARÍA VERONICA FERNANDEZ ZENOFF; JACQUELINE RAMALLO; MARÍA FLORENCIA PEREZ; MARÍA VERONICA FERNANDEZ ZENOFF; JACQUELINE RAMALLO; LUCIANA CONTRERAS; FARÍAS, MARÍA EUGENIA; JULIAN RAFAEL DIB,

PLOS ONE

PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE

Lugar: San Francisco; Año: 2016

1932-6203

Economic losses caused by postharvest diseases represent one of the main problems ofthe citrus industry worldwide. The major diseases affecting citrus are the "green mold" and"blue mold", caused by Penicillium digitatum and P. italicum, respectively. To control them,synthetic fungicides are the most commonly used method. However, often the emergenceof resistant strains occurs and their use is becoming more restricted because of toxiceffects and environmental pollution they generate, combined with trade barriers to internationalmarkets. The aim of this work was to isolate indigenous killer yeasts with antagonisticactivity against fungal postharvest diseases in lemons, and to determine their control efficiencyin in vitro and in vivo assays. Among 437 yeast isolates, 8.5% show to have a killerphenotype. According to molecular identification, based on the 26S rDNA D1/D2 domainsequences analysis, strains were identified belonging to the genera Saccharomyces, Wickerhamomyces,Kazachstania, Pichia, Candida and Clavispora. Killers were challengedwith pathogenic molds and strains that caused the maximum in vitro inhibition of P. digitatumwere selected for in vivo assays. Two strains of Pichia and one strain of Wickerhamomycesdepicted a significant protection (p