Evaluation of bacillus SPP. as potential biocontrol agent for postharvest gray mold control on golden delicious apple in Iran

Abstract

Biocontrol of postharvest decay on apples could provide an alternative approach for chemical control. With the effort to look for effective biocontrol agents, Bacillus pumilus (B19), B. subtilis (B11), B. cereus (B16), B. subtilis (B11), B. cereus (B17), B. brevis (EN63-1) and B. licheniformis (EN74-1) were tested for their potential activity against gray mold caused by Botrytis mali on Golden Delicious apple in Iran. Dual culture, cell free metabolite and volatile compounds tests showed that all seven isolates inhibited growth of the pathogen. All isolates prevented development of B. mali lesion diameter on apples stored at 40°C from 9 to 32.2 mm as compared to 41.6 to 51.4 mm in control. At 20°C the lesion size was from 7 to 24.9 mm for treatments with antagonistic bacteria while in control it ranged from 42.2 to 46.6.