Yeast microflora of nectarines

Authors: Janisiewicz, Wojciech; Kurtzman, Cletus

Submitted to: American Phytopathological Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/21/2008
Publication Date: 7/1/2008
Citation: Janisiewicz, W.J., Kurtzman, C.P. 2008. Yeast microflora of nectarines. American Phytopathological Society.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Resident fruit microflora has been the source of biocontrol agents for control of postharvest decays of fruits, and the active ingredient in commercialized biocontrol products. Except grapes and apples, information on the resident microflora of other fruits is only fragmentary, but greater knowledge in this area can be very helpful in developing biocontrol. We characterized the yeast microflora of nectarines (cv. 'Croce del Sud') from the early stages of fruit development until harvest. The fruit samples were collected from trees in an unmanaged orchard block. The resident fruit microflora was separated from the occasionally deposited microorganisms by discarding initial fruit washings before the final wash, that was follow by sonication and plating on NYDA medium. The isolated yeasts were identified by BIOLOG and by sequencing the D1/D2 domain of a large subunit of the rRNA gene, and where available, the ITS sequence. BIOLOG identified 19 and the genetic analysis 13 species of yeasts. Although the identification by these two systems was not always the same, the predominant yeasts were Rhodoturula spp., Sporodiobolus spp., Cryptococcus spp., Pichia spp. and Candida spp. Some of the identified yeast species were previously shown to control postharvest decays on different fruits.