Management of postharvest diseases of kiwifruit with a combination of the biocontrol yeast Candida oleophila and an oligogalacturonide

Abstract The effects of a biocontrol yeast Candida oleophila and a bio-elicitor, oligogalacturonide (OGA), were evaluated for controlling postharvest gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea and black rot caused by Alternaria alternata, and natural infection on kiwifruit stored at room temperature. Results indicated that C. oleophila and OGA as individual treatments, markedly inhibited development of gray mold and black rot, as well as natural decay occurrence on kiwifruit, compared to control fruit. A combination of both C. oleophila and OGA, however, provided a better control result than each single treatment. C. oleophila growth in kiwifruit wounds was not significantly affected by OGA. Moreover, C. oleophila and OGA individually or in combination induced gene expression and enzyme activity of the defensive enzymes, peroxidase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, in kiwifruit. Collectively, the combined application of a biocontrol yeast and OGA may represent an integrative, effective method to manage postharvest diseases of kiwifruit.