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, post-harvest application of P. 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.