Evaluation of biocontrol potential of epiphytic yeast against postharvest Penicillium digitatum rot of stored Kinnow fruit (Citrus reticulata) and their effect on its physiochemical properties

Twenty five isolates of epiphytic yeasts were isolated from healthy surface of tomato, mango, lemon, orange, grape fruit and green chili and evaluated for their potential against postharvest Penicillium digitatum decay of kinnow fruits. Identification of yeast was confirmed by molecular biology tools. Twenty isolates have shown maximum in-vitro activity against P. digitatum. Eight effective lead isolates were examined for their potential against postharvest natural infection of P. digitatum on kinnow fruit stored for fifteen days at the room temperature (25-30 degrees C). All eight isolates showed least infection of P. digitatum with minimum quality loss as compared to a set of control and positive control (1% K sorbate). Isolates HAB-31 and HAB-53 which showed no postharvest decay of kinnow due to P. digitatum were further evaluated on kinnow by artificially spraying of P. digitatum on kinnow fruits. Yeast treated fruit showed least fruit decay with minimum quality changes as compared to control and positive control set.