Vishniacozyma victoriae: An endophytic antagonist yeast of kiwifruit with biocontrol effect to Botrytis cinerea

Botrytis cinerea is a pathogenic fungus to fruit, biocontrol is a promising approach to relieve this issue. In this study, Vishniacozyma victoriae is an endophytic yeast extracted from kiwifruit, was used to enhance the resistance of host to B. cinerea. The results showed that lesion diameter of the kiwifruit inoculated with B. cinerea was 55.16 %, 50.57 %, and 48.07 % lower than that of inoculated with V. victoriae + B. cinerea on 4th, 8th, and 12th day, respectively. On 12th day, the total organic acid content and energy charge of kiwifruit inoculated with B. cinerea were 19.25 % and 7.95 % lower than those inoculated with V. victoriae + B. cinerea. These indicated that V. victoriae used the organic acids and energy of host to colonize in the wound, which prevented B. cinerea from contacting the host. Accordingly, V. victoriae is a promising biocontrol yeast to inhibit the infection of B. cinerea on kiwifruit.