Apple Microbiome: effect of environmental conditions and a source of microorganisms to improve fruit quality

Abstract: This research aims to analyze the potential effect of the climatic conditions and the
genotype on the apple microbiome as well as isolating and cultivating from it, microorganisms that could be potential biocontrol agents. The study was conducted using two apple cultivars, ‘Golden Reinders’ and ‘Mandy’, grown under different climatic and altitudinal conditions: established at mean annual temperature (MAT) of 10 °C, and average rainfall of 1000 mm (mountain orchards), and low-land orchards at MAT of 15 °C and rainfall of 400 mm (valley orchards). The results of the microbiome study suggest that the altitude has an effect on the fungal diversity and community composition while the genotype has an effect on the bacterial side. Within all these communities, microorganisms with biocontrol capabilities where discovered, out 250 microorganisms present within these microbiomes and tested, a total of 4 bacteria and 24 fungi showed promising biocontrol capabilities when reducing the incidence of the main postharvest apple diseases (Penicillium expansum, Botrytis cinerea and Rhizopus stolonifer). These results and insight help advance pioneering and revolutionary agriculture practices aimed to reduce the use of chemical pesticides.