Effects of biofungicide Skladix based on Bacillus subtilis in the control of apple storage pathogens in vivo

Abstract: This research evaluated the efficacy of the biofungicide Skladix, containing Bacillus
subtilis, compared to conventional fungicides fludioxonil and trifloxystrobin in controlling
storage pathogens in apple fruits. Conducted at the Ćirić Agro MDŽ orchard on Fuji apples, the study involved field trials across a four-hectare area with each treatment applied to one hectare and replicated four times. Post-harvest, the fruits were stored at room temperature for 21 days to assess the incidence of rot. Molecular identification techniques, including PCR and sequence analysis, identified prevalent pathogens such as Alternaria alternata and Penicillium expansum. The results demonstrated that Skladix has comparable efficacy to fludioxonil and superior efficacy to trifloxystrobin, which exhibited decreased effectiveness potentially due to pathogen resistance. These findings suggest that Skladix serves as an effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional fungicides, underscoring the importance of integrating biofungicides into pest management strategies to combat resistance and enhance sustainability in agriculture.