Abstract:

The yeasts Trichosporon pullulans (Lindner.) Diddens et Lodder, Cryptococcus laurentii (Kuffer.) Skinner and Rhodotorula glutinis (Fresenius) Harrison were sprayed at concentration of 1×10⁸ CFU/mL onto sweet cherry (Prunus avivum L. cv. Hongdeng) fruit in two orchards prior to harvest. Survival of these species on fruit surfaces under field conditions was investigated. Also, their biocontrol efficacy against postharvest decay of cherry fruit stored under various conditions was assessed. All three yeasts colonized the surface of sweet cherry fruit. However, only C. laurentii and R. glutinis maintained populations at high and stable levels throughout the 4-d experimental period. C. laurentii was the most effective and promising of the three antagonists. It had strong survival ability on fruit surfaces under field conditions and adaptability to postharvest storage conditions of low temperature, low-O₂ and high-CO₂ concentrations.

Key words: biocontrol efficacy, postharvest decay, preharvest application, sweet cherry fruit, yeast antagonists