Yeast strains with antagonist activity against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz. & Sacc. and their phenotypic characterization

Abstract

Abstract Colletotrichum is the causal agent of anthracnose in passion fruit crops, generating economic yield losses. Antagonistic microorganisms represent highly efficient alternatives for chemical compounds in controlling the anthracnose disease. In this research, 8 yeast strains (M1-M8) were isolated, characterized and their antagonistic activities against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz. & Sacc. were evaluated in vitro. The physiological assessments showed that potential antagonistic morphotypes (M2, M5 and M7) had optimal growth with distinct conditions: 3-5 pH, 30°C, 1-5% NaCl; and assimilated several carbon sources. These morphotypes exhibited low enzymatic activity on plant polymers. According to the physiological and inhibition tests, M2 appears to be a promising biocontrol agent against C. gloeosporioides. M2 was identified as the species Meyerozyma caribbica Kurtzman & M. Suzuki.

Keywords

• Antagonism
• Biocontrol
• Colletotrichum gloeosporioides
• Meyerozyma caribbica
• Passion fruit