Potencial de leveduras no controle biológico da podridão verde do inhame

Abstract

The yam (Dioscorea cayennensis Lam.), Also called yam-the-coast or yams-the-coast belongs to Dioscoreaceae family. This culture is affected by various diseases, the green rot one of the most important, as it causes loss of biological deterioration of tubers during transport and storage. It is caused by the fungus Penicillium sclerotigenum. To control the disease is recommended chemical treatment with fungicides based on benomyl or thiabendazole. However, chemical control induces resistance, and contaminates the environment with the need for alternatives to control. Biological control becomes a promising alternative with considerable success in the control of diseases pre and post-harvest. Among the antagonists used in biological control are the yeast. Thus, the aim of this research was to select yeast isolates and evaluate these as the biocontrol mechanisms. Yeasts were obtained from fragments of leaves, tubers and healthy yam. The P. sclerotigenum isolates used in the pathogenicity and biocontrol tests were isolated from tubers with typical symptoms of the disease. The pathogenicity test was conducted with ten isolated, and the isolated PES 02, the most aggressive and selected for the biocontrol assay. In selecting yeast fifteen isolates were highlighted by reducing the average lesion diameter, being positive for killer toxin, producing volatile compounds and biofilm production. This result supported the biocontrol test, which stood out as the green yams rot biocontrol agents the yeast LEV 02 and LEV 09. These two yeasts were evaluated for resistance induction in tubers through the production of enzymes ascorbate peroxidase (APX ) and catalase (CAT). A variation in enzyme levels in the treated tubers with the pathogen and yeast was verified; when compared to the checks, the pathogen treated only with sterile distilled water. Yeasts have shown potential biocontrol, being a tool for biological control of P. Sclerotigenum in yam.