Action mechanisms of the yeast Meyerozyma caribbica for the control of the phytopathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in mangoes

• The evaluated yeast is capable of reducing the degree of anthracnose symptoms.
• The combination of different action mechanisms of yeast ensures a good biocontrol.
• Yeast cells are necessary in the formula to carrying out biological control.

The yeast Meyerozyma caribbica was evaluated for their effectiveness against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in the mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. “Ataulfo” and to identify the possible mechanisms of action involved in the inhibition. M. caribbica showed a high antagonistic potential in vivo, with significant inhibition of 86.7% of anthracnose. M. caribbica competed for the nutrients sucrose and fructose (p < 0.05). Electron microscopy showed that the yeast produces a biofilm adhering to the fruit and to C. gloeosporioides hyphae. M. caribbica showed competition for space and parasitism to the phytopathogen, furthermore it produces hydrolytic enzymes such as chitinase, N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase and β-1, 3-glucanase. These enzymes caused notched and non-lethal deformations on the fungal hyphae through this specific action mechanism. According to the results obtained here, the combination of the different action mechanisms of the yeast increases their ability to control C. gloeosporioides. The use of biological agents to control C. gloeosporioides may contribute to the integrated management of disease caused by this pathogen.

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