Yeasts as biological agents to control Botrytis cinerea

Yeasts, isolated from different sources, were identified and tested for inhibition using YMA-MB plates seeded with Botrytis cinerea strains. A total of 42 yeast strains of 20 different species were tested in vitro for antagonism against 18 pathogenic B. cinerea strains. Pichia membranifaciens, P anomala and Debaryomyces hansenii displayed the most important inhibitory effect against Botrytis strains. In small-scale trials, postharvest application of R membranifaciens CYC 1106 to apple wounds inhibited B. cinerea CYC 20010. Purified killer toxin from P membranifaciens CYC 1106 inhibited B. cinerea CYC 20010. Results indicated that certain yeasts, or their toxins such us P membranifaciens CYC 1106 killer toxin, might have potential as novel agents to control B. cinerea. (C) 2004 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.