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Biological control of postharvest sour rot of citrus by two antagonistic yeasts
Author(s) -
Liu X.,
Fang W.,
Liu L.,
Yu T.,
Lou B.,
Zheng X.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
letters in applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.698
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1472-765X
pISSN - 0266-8254
DOI - 10.1111/j.1472-765x.2010.02851.x
Subject(s) - postharvest , geotrichum , fungicide , biology , inoculation , horticulture , rutaceae , microbiology and biotechnology , botany
Aims: To investigate antifungal effects of two antagonistic yeasts on postharvest sour rot caused by Geotrichum citri‐aurantii in citrus and evaluate possible mechanisms. Methods and Results: Cell suspension of Cryptococcus laurentii at 10 8 to 10 9 cells per ml effectively reduced sour rot incidence from 55·6% among untreated control fruit to 29·9–20·7% after 5 days of incubation at 26°C. Application of cell‐free culture filtrate of C. laurentii was effective in reducing the sour rot, but the effectiveness was lower than that of the cell suspension (1 × 10 8 cells per ml). In addition, C. laurentii multiplied more rapidly than Rhodosporidium paludigenum at 26°C. The fruit inoculated with the two yeasts demonstrated changes in peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity. Cryptococcus laurentii , in particular, was capable of inducing a striking response in treated citrus fruits. Conclusions: The antifungal ability of C. laurentii can be attributed to the competitions of nutrients and space, defensive responses and possible secretion of antibiotic compounds. Significance and Impact of the Study: The use of such antagonists may constitute an important alternative to synthetic fungicides for controlling postharvest sour rot in citrus.