The yeast Wickerhamomyces anomalus as a promising biocontrol agent against Aspergillus plant pathogens

Abstract

The sustainability of modern agricultural systems is critically dependent on the availability of safe and effective plant protection pathways. Synthetic pesticides, despite their efficacy, are associated with a range of negative consequences including environmental persistence, disruption of beneficial soil communities, the progressive development of resistant pathogen strains. In recent years the contamination of crops and post-harvest plant products by A. fumigatus has been increasingly reported. Also, Aspergillus flavus is an opportunistic phytopathogen that affects numerous crops, including Zea mays. The integration of biological control strategies into modern crop production provides an alternative to the application of synthetic chemical fungicides. The aim of the present study was to identify the antifungal activity of Wickerhamomyces yeast against Aspergillus spp. strains.