Cryptococcus humicola inhibits development of lesions in 'Golden Delicious' apples

Abstract

One strategy to reduce postharvest losses of fruits to pathogens is to introduce organisms with biological control capabilities. Our objective was to determine the effectiveness of two yeast isolates in inhibiting lesion development caused by Botrytis cinerea (Bc) on freshly harvested apples differing in maturity. 'Golden Delicious' apples were harvested on 29 Aug., 23 Sept., and 10 Oct. 1995. Apples receiving the seven treatments [control, wound, Cryptococcus humicola (Ch), Sporobolomyces roseus (Sr), Bc, Ch + Bc, Sr + Bc] were placed in plastic boxes with damp paper towels. Each day for 7 days, ethylene production and lesion diameter at the wound were recorded. Ethylene production was not affected by treatment, and increased with later harvest date. Lesion diameter on apples treated with Bc was smaller on the first harvest than on the second and third harvests. Sr provided partial control on the second and third harvests, and Ch completely inhibited lesion development except for day 7 of the third harvest.