US scientists have discovered that a beneficial microbe may help protect table grapes from botrytis or grey mould. Experiments conducted over the past few years by the US Agricultural Research Service’s (ARS) plant pathologist Joseph Smilanick and his ARS and industry colleagues have shown that Muscodor albus can combat Botrytis cinerea, the organism that causes grey mould. The disease can render table grapes unmarketable in terms of both taste and appearance. M. albus therefore could benefit conventional and organic growers alike.
Smilanick, who is based at the ARS San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center near Parlier, California collaborated in Muscodor experiments with microbiologist Monir Mansour and visiting scientist Franka Gabler-both at Parlier-and with industry colleagues.
Muscodor acts as a natural fumigant by emitting compounds, harmless to people and animals, that can kill or inhibit the spread of certain other microbes, such as Botrytis cinerea. For example, in experiments with packaged Thompson Seedless grapes, Smilanick and co-investigators found that Muscodor reduced the incidence of Botrytis-infected grapes by up to 85 per cent.
ARS and the California Table Grape Commission funded the research.
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