Meyerozyma strains as biocontrol agents against postharvest phytopathogens of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.)

Jackfruit is a tropical fruit highly perishable due to phytopathogenic diseases, with up to 35% postharvest losses. Currently, the control of these diseases is sought through the use of natural alternatives such as biocontrol agents. Therefore, this work aimed to identify the phytopathogens affecting jackfruit in postharvest and to study the antagonism of Meyerozyma guilliermondii and Meyerozyma caribbica for disease control. Eight postharvest fungi were identified using morphological and molecular techniques; those with high pathogenicity were Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Rhizopus sp., and Neofusicoccum batangarum. Meyerozyma guilliermondii gave the highest mycelial inhibitions, 100, 96, and 90% against Rhizopus sp., L. theobromae, and N. batangarum, respectively. The lowest incidences of Rhizopus sp. decay were 22 and 32%, with M. guilliermondii and M. caribbica, respectively. Neofusicoccum batangarum was identified for the first time in Nayarit as a postharvest pathogen for jackfruit. Yeasts showed antagonistic effects against these phytopathogens with inhibitions higher than 68%.