Field application of Bacillus subtilis and Aureobasidium pullulans to reduce Monilinia laxa post-harvest rot on cherry

Brown rot caused by Monilinia spp. is one of the most important diseases in stone fruits worldwide. Latent infections of fruit by the pathogen often manifest once the fruit is ripe, leading to post-harvest rots. Two microbial strains (Bacillus subtilis -B91 and Aureobasidium pullulans - Y126) have shown antagonistic properties against M. laxa in previous studies. This study assessed the reduction in post-harvest rot of cherry by M. laxa when the two biocontrol (BCAs) strains were applied pre-harvest under field conditions to fruit artificially inoculated with M. laxa. The experiment was carried out for two consecutive years in cherry orchards in Kent. When applied pre-harvest, both strains (B91 and Y126) reduced the incidence of post-harvest rots by 30% - 60%. This promising result helps towards the commercialisation of the two strains, which would reduce reliance on fungicides in commercial cherry production.