Biocontrol activity of bio-coat and biocure against postharvest rots of table grapes and sweet cherries

The efficacy of two postharvest biocontrol products under commercial development was determined in semi-commercial tests on table grapes and sweet cherries. The products consist of the yeast Candida saitoana combined with either chitosan (Bio-Coat) or an antifungal lytic enzyme (Biocure). On table grape (cv. ‘Italia’) field applications of the two biocontrol products 21 days and 1 day before harvest significantly reduced the incidence of grey mould rots, from 33 to 46%. Field rots (mainly sour rot) were also reduced on bunches of grapes treated 21 days before harvest. The level of control was comparable to that of a conventional chemical fungicide (Mepanypirim). On sweet cherries (cv. ‘Lapins’) postharvest dipping treatments significantly reduced total rots (mainly gray and brown mould) by 59% (Bio-Coat) and 64% (Biocure). Similar results were obtained on sweet cherries cv. ‘Moreau’. The two biocontrol products did not cause any phytotoxic effect and did not affect the fruit quality.