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Field validation of biocontrol strategies to control brown rot on stone fruit in several European countries
Author(s) -
Casals Carla,
Guijarro Belén,
De Cal Antonieta,
Torres Rosario,
Usall Josep,
Perdrix Víctor,
Hilscher Ulrike,
Ladurner Edith,
Smets Tom,
Teixidó Neus
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.6281
Subject(s) - biological pest control , biology , disease control , field trial , horticulture , environmentally friendly , microbiology and biotechnology , toxicology , agronomy , ecology
BACKGROUND Brown rot caused by Monilinia spp. is the most significant disease of stone fruit. New approaches to fruit production have necessitated the development of control strategies that are more eco‐ and consumer‐friendly. An efficient field strategy to control brown rot was previously designed based on the application of two biocontrol agents (BCAs) , Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CPA‐8 (CPA‐8) or Penicillium frequentans 909 (Pf909), with calendar‐based treatment. In the present study, the strategy was validated on different stone fruit hosts in four producing countries over two seasons. RESULTS The results obtained were reported according to three different scenarios: Scenario 1, in which there was no presence of disease in the field; Scenario 2, in which high disease pressure occurred in the field and treatments (biologicals or chemicals) were not effective; and Scenario 3, with low or medium to high disease presence. The results were successful because, in general, BCA strategies were shown to control brown rot to a similar extent as chemicals strategies. We found that most of the trials conducted in this study were classed under Scenario 3 (62.5%), with only 12.5% and 25% of the trials classed under Scenarios 1 and 2, respectively. CONCLUSION These novel findings allowed the formulation of CPA‐8 and Pf909 as valuable tools for farmers to produce stone fruits more competitively and meet consumer demand for safer and more environmentally friendly products. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry