Prototype formulation of Aureobasidium pullulans strains: efficacy against grey mould of table grape

Abstract: The market is demanding new products for a more sustainable control of postharvest pathogens. Among the several fungi that can affect crops during cold storage, Botrytis cinerea is one of the most common and difficult to control. In the study, prototype oil dispersion (OD) formulations containing Aureobasidium pullulans as active ingredient were developed. Two different strains, namely UC14 and AP1 were used for prototype development. The efficacy of both formulations was evaluated in in vitro and in vivo experiments against B. cinerea. The AP1 OD formulation was the most effective, showing 67 % inhibition of fungal mycelial growth. In in vivo assay, the highest reduction of pathogen incidence (-50 %) was obtained with AP1 OD as curative treatment (800 mg/l). Our results showed the potential of a new formulation prototype to be applied against grey mould and its possible commercial product development perspectives.