Abstract
Ever since plant diseases began causing losses in viticulture, the control of phytopathogenic fungi has become of vital interest for winemakers. The occurrence of novel pests, fungicide resistance, and changed consumer expectations have led to an enormous demand for novel plant protection strategies. As part of integrated protection measures, antagonistic microorganisms have been investigated to a large extent. Such microorganisms can be applied not only in conventional, but also in organic farming as biological control agents (BCA). Particularly, yeasts were found to be interesting candidates for the development of BCA. Many of these eukaryotic microorganisms are found as part of the phylloplane microflora. In this study, we assessed a set of 38 yeast isolates from different habitats, including the guts of termites, for inhibitory effects against some phytopathogenic fungi that have received less attention in earlier studies. The majority of yeasts were found to interfere with fungi infecting grapevine (Eutypa lata, Botrytis cinerea, and Roesleria subterranea), stone fruits (Monilinia fructicola), or rice (Magnaporte oryzae), as well in vitro and in model experiment on fruits. Although most yeast strains secreted glycoside hydrolases and proteases, attempts to demonstrate direct antagonistic activities of lytic enzymes failed. However, in culture filtrates of the termite yeast Papiliotrema odontotermitis OO5, a low molecular thermostable antagonistic factor was detected. Iron depletion as a BCA mechanism was confirmed for strains of Metschnikowia pulcherrima but not for other yeasts.
Highlights
Pathogenic fungi cause significant annual losses in the quality and quantity of crops, resulting in considerable economic damage
We assessed the antagonistic activity of 38 yeasts strains from different habitats against 12 fungal strains representing the phytopathogenic species B. cinerea, M. fructigena, E. lata, R. subterranea, and M. oryzae
The inhibitory effects of yeasts vary according to antagonist and environmental conditions and are based on different principles [11]
Summary
Pathogenic fungi cause significant annual losses in the quality and quantity of crops, resulting in considerable economic damage. Fungi are profound producers of secondary metabolites that are toxic to humans when consumed [1]. Botrytis cinerea (teleomorphic form: Botryotinia fuckeliana) has been identified as pathogen of more than 235 plant species, including grapes, lettuce, tomatoes, tobacco, and strawberries [2]. B. cinerea may cause serious loss (gray rot) and improvement of wine quality (noble rot), depending on the stage of ripening in which the berries are infected and on the weather conditions [3]. Repeated fungicide applications have resulted in a drastic increase of multiple resistances in Botrytis isolates [4,5]
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