Evaluation of Endospore-Forming Bacteria for Suppression of Postharvest Decay of Apple Fruit.

ABSTRACT: The use of microbial biocontrol agents for control of postharvest disease has been the subject of intensive research over the past three decades resulting in commercialization of several biocontrol products. The objective of this research was to test endospore-forming bacteria collected from apple leaves for suppression of bitter rot and blue mold on apple. Bacteria were collected from abandoned, low-input, organic, and conventionally managed orchards in Pennsylvania and were screened for their ability to produce endospores, hydrolyze chitin, reduce pathogen growth in vitro, and suppress postharvest disease in vivo. Several isolates reduced bitter rot lesion size on 'Rome Beauty' from 40-89% compared to untreated controls. Bacillus megaterium isolates, A3-6 and Ae-1, resulted in the

SUBMITTER: Poleatewich A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9862789 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature